A community-based wild-life project plans significant improvements after being awarded a National Lottery grant.

Summerhill (Hartlepool) Bird Club, which includes members of Durham Bird Club, has been given £4,250 under the Awards for All scheme.

The club has already constructed a bird feeding station at the Summerhill open space, in the town, aimed at encouraging beginners to learn more about the species which use the area.

Chairman Kevin Spindloe said the Lottery grant would pay for an interpretation board and seating at the feeding station.

It would also finance a CCTV system, so that people could sit in the nearby visitors centre on cold days and watch the birds feeding.

The rest of the money will buy reference books for use during the club's workshops, which are aimed at teaching people about birds.

Mr Spindloe said: "The award is good news. We plan a formal opening of the station in March or April, and hope to have the work completed by then."

The club meets at Summerhill Visitor Centre, which is at the entrance to the open space, on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month and everyone is welcome.

Summerhill (Hartlepool) Bird Club's feeding station was one of the runners-up in Making A Difference 2001, the community environmental competion run by The Northern Echo and sponsored by regional development agency One NorthEast. Details of the 2002 competition will be announced in The Northern Echo over the next few weeks.