YOUNGSTERS from an east Cleveland primary school have been planting trees in an effort to revitalise their village play area.

The children from St Peter's CE Primary School, Brotton, began planting 1,860 saplings yesterday in a bid to give the playing field, on Marshall Drive, a new lease of life.

A partnership between Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, the Brotton Community Forum and Skelton and Brotton Parish Council has drawn up an environmental action plan for the area, funded by £2,000 from the parish council and a grant from the Corus Environmental Award. The borough council has also provided the workforce and management.

There are plans to develop play zones, redevelop the existing play area and reintroduce the junior football pitch, including a new clubhouse.

The trees - thorn, ash, crab apple, blackthorn and oak - will be planted in three clusters over two days, forming an avenue in a wildlife zone.

Other environmental works include log benches and a new hedge.

Brotton ward councillor Richard Rudland, who with fellow councillor Brian Hogg is a co-opted member of the forum, said: "I'm very pleased to see the start of responding to what the residents wanted from our consultations.

"There's still a long way to go, and we'll be looking at ways of raising more funds."