VOLUNTEERS got their brooms out to help smarten up their community in preparation for a redevelopment project.

Tristar Homes and Apollo Housing staff and residents joined forces in a Make a Difference Day to tidy the Holmes and Stainsby Beck Estate, in Thornaby.

The clear-up took place in the neighbourhoods where Apollo will start refurbishment work this month on 4,000 homes in the Stockton borough area belonging to Tristar.

Grahame French, neighbourhood manager at Tristar, said: "Bringing people together is very much at the core of what we do as an organisation, as well as ensuring our residents' environments are well-maintained and pleasant places to live.

"It is fantastic to see people volunteer to help others."

They carried out a number of duties, from litter picking, hedge trimming and removal to weeding paths and clearing alleyways.

Apollo resident liaison officer, Alison Roddam, said: "It's a great opportunity to build relationships with Tristar staff and their residents before we start the work."