PEOPLE with disabilities and artists from the region are joining forces to tell tales of the riverbank.

The environmental arts project will involve them researching and celebrating wildlife along the River Wear at Chester-le-Street.

The Riverside Park is one of the gateways to the Great North Forest and the project encourages people to explore nature and interpret it in costumes, props and artwork, as well as writing a script for a performance which will be held on Thursday, September 27.

Supported by Chester-le-Street District Council and Groundwork West Durham, the arts initiative will use theatre company Jack Drum Arts and arts company Bravura to involve local people discover nature.

Two groups for disabled people involved in the project are Go out and Live group (Goal) and Durham County Council's agency, Empower, which have already worked on a mosaic floor at the Sun Temple in Riverside Park.

The Riverside Pavilion will hold activities including recording the wildlife at the park, mask making, recording sounds for a sound sculpture, banner printing and creating a story and performance.

The performance will be held at the Riverside wildlife area