YOUNGSTERS scoured the countryside looking for the seeds of rare wild flowers yesterday.

About 100 pupils from Bowburn Junior, Cassop, Coxhoe and Kelloe Primary Schools collected seeds from the Cassop Vale National Nature Reserve for a planting project.

They were also given instruction on how to sow the seeds in pots.

The Our Flowers seed collection was part of the Five Villages Project, which aims to look after the local countryside and wildlife.

Sue Mullinger, the project officer at Durham County Council, said: "Our Flowers was a fun way for children to help care for their local countryside.

"The magnesian limestone grassland is very special and important for wild flowers.

"Some of the seeds collected will be sown either at Little Wood or Coxhoe Quarry, but the children will have the chance to take others home to grow in pots during the summer, ready for planting in the autumn.

"Everyone will receive a badge to show they have taken part in the project, which aims to make sure that there are magnesian limestone grasslands for years to come.''

The Five Villages Project is funded by the County Durham Environmental Trust and involves parish councils, Durham County Council, Durham City Council and organisations including Durham Wildlife Trust