WORKERS will be getting their feet wet this week when they plant up an island with wetland flora at an environmentally-friendly business centre on Friday.

Staff from Groundwork West Durham, Derwentside primary care trust and other tenants of The Greenhouse, in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, will be paddling across the lake to put in aquatic and marginal plants around the edge.

A spokesman for Groundwork West Durham said: "All these plants have been specially chosen to ensure they are native.

"They will help to create a natural environment for the benefit of the local wildlife, while also creating a pleasant environment for the tenants of The Greenhouse.

"Five trees will also be planted on the day, which have been provided through a grant from Environment Agency Action Earth 2006."

The Greenhouse is the first of a prototype of business centres developed by Groundwork West Durham.

The £4.2m project will create 54 jobs and fund local regeneration projects by reinvesting the rental income. The 32,000sq ft building uses sustainable technologies.