THE front of a village school is looking smarter thanks to the efforts of volunteers.

A team of East Durham Community College students who are on a Prince’s Trust programme carried out a three-week project at Lumley Junior School, Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street.

The school sought the team’s help because the front of the building was becoming untidy due to overgrown bushes.

Bev McQue, school secretary, said: “They have transformed the front of our school for us.

“They have worked extremely hard and they have been lovely. They have had to fit it in with their lessons.

“We have had to pay a contribution but they have managed to get things for us very cheaply. We wouldn’t have been able to do it on our own.”

Old bushes next to the hall been stripped away and the team has put down wood chippings and made little benches for the corridor area.

Mrs McQue said: “They have tidied it up so that when people walk past it, it looks nicer rather than being an overgrown mess.”

“They have put a lot of time and effort in. They have been marvellous.”