YOUNGSTERS saw their hard work pay off yesterday when a field formerly grazed by sheep was unveiled as a new beauty spot.

Schoolchildren from around the borough of Stockton and Stockton Borough Council's country park wardens have spent the past 18 months transforming the field at the Castle Eden Walkway into the new Stoney Field.

A central feature of the site is a new sculpture designed in ancient style, formed by a circle of timbers reflecting the past, present and future of the area.

In total, 8,500 young trees have been planted, which will mature rapidly to form a blanket of woodland. New paths have been formed as well as one being surfaced to allow cycle users access to the countryside more easily.

Keith Matthews, environment project officer for the council, said: "The sculpture has been designed to complement the recent developments of the new planetarium and the existing observatory.

"The posts have been erected in a particular way to reflect the astronomical feel of the area, but others have also been erected so they point towards significant features of the landscape such as the village of Thorpe Thewles and Roseberry Topping.

"The sculpture stands in the midst of a newly planted field, but with a small leap of imagination it is possible to understand how it would feel to happen upon it in the midst of a woodland."

Future developments at the site include the installation of specially-designed seats and tables and a small community woodland orchard.