TEENAGERS with special needs are helping to brighten life for residents of a Durham old people's home.

Twenty-three youngsters who attend centres run by Durham County Council have been creating bird tables, boxes and feeders for Cheveley House in Belmont.

The team, based at Gilesgate Community Association's premises, are also working on gardens at the home and putting in new plants.

They have also taken photographs of the places where the residents used to live to show to them.

The work is part of a project run by Education in the Community that was founded by the youth service Connexions.

Youth development worker Pat Hill said: "The work that they have done is fantastic. They have transformed the gardens.

"Young people with disabilities are often seen as not being able to do anything but this shows what they can achieve.''

The teenagers are to visit the home today to show residents their handiwork and give them cakes that they have baked.