Join countryside event (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Volunteer to help clear scrub near Trimdon

5:16pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in News By Catherine Priestley, Chief Reporter (Sedgefield)

COUNTRYSIDE officers are appealing for volunteers to join a community conservation event this weekend.

Durham County Council is organising the event which will involve cutting back hawthorn and blackthorn trees at Hurworth Burn railway path, near Trimdon.

The aim of the work is to stop areas of scrub from spreading in order to allow the expansion of heathland, which will benefit the local bee and butterfly population.

The drop-in event will take place on Sunday (March 3) between 10am and noon and information on guided walks and volunteering opportunities with the countryside service will also be available.

Maria Murphy, countryside development officer, said: “Anyone is welcome to come and join us whether it’s for five minutes or the full two hours, it all helps.”

Volunteers should wear old clothes and experience is not necessary. To take part meet at the car park next to Hurworth Burn reservoir, on Hurworth Burn Road, east of Trimdon.

For details visit durham.gov.uk/countryside, email countryside@durham.gov.uk or call 03000-264589.