WORK to recreate a natural habitat on the edge of a north County Durham town has finished.

Heather seed has been planted on Waldridge Fell, near Chester-le-Street, to recreate heather moorland.

The site, a former pit heap, will take about 10 years to regenerate properly, but should eventually become a prime habitat for a variety of plants and animals.

The half-hectare site is part of the 120-hectare Waldridge Fell Country Park - a good example of lowland heather moor, which is a scarce habitat in the North-East.

Durham County Council, which has been planting the heather seeds, has also been busy creating disabled access to the park, and has laid out routes to the north and south fells.

The council plans to make further improvements to disabled access at the park.