AN army of children, residents and bank employees set out to turn derelict land into a green oasis yesterday.

The land on the Jubilee Fields estate, Shildon, was neglected, so regeneration charity Groundwork East Durham stepped in to revitalise the area with plants, seating and lighting.

Yesterday, the work began when residents from the estate and children from St John's CE Primary School began planting trees and shrubs. Staff from Barclays Bank in Bishop Auckland also lent a hand.

Barclays SiteSavers, a community investment programme has donated £6,000 to the scheme.

The programme was launched in 1996.

It has taken a year for the project to reach this stage, and next month artwork designed by children from the junior neighbourhood watch group for the seating area will be installed.