A nature trail designed and built by pupils at a Durham special school will be launched next week.

The trail, in the grounds of Elemore Hall School, Pittington, was built for local people to use, with pupils acting as guides.

All pupils at the school were involved in the work, but seven youngsters formed a core design and construction team.

The trail winds through a varied landscape, including ancient yew woodland, a coniferous forest, newly-planted saplings and pastures.

The school, which caters for pupils with emotional, behavioural and learning difficulties, is planning further environmental schemes in its grounds.

It has established links with Durham County Council's Local Agenda 21 Team.

The trail was built with help from a number of organisations and companies, including Durham University's Botanical Gardens.

School headteacher Mike Davey said: "The project has had an extremely positive impact on the self-esteem, self-confidence and team work skills of the pupils and has united the school in working towards, and benefiting from, a common objective.

"We'd like to thank everyone who has given advice and support to make the project a success, especially the Botanical Gardens, Durham Police Community Liaison Team, Hornes Garden Centre, Trees for the Millennium and Hartlepool Power Station.''

The opening ceremony will take place on Monday and will be performed by Mike Hughes, the Botanical Gardens' head gardener.