A COMPANY has sponsored 50 new wildlife homes in North Pennines woodlands.

Addisons Chartered Surveyors, based in Barnard Castle, funded and helped build 50 bird boxes, ahead of breeding season.

Most are already occupied and confirm a successful breeding season for blue tits, robins, wrens and nuthatches.

Kaye Jemmeson, from the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership said: “Thanks to Addisons' sponsorship we were able to install 50 wildlife homes that have been sited throughout the grounds.

“But it wasn’t only financial help that made this happen, to show their dedication to the project, staff from the Barnard Castle office came to the centre to help construct and install the boxes.

Jill Simpson, Brand Manager at Addisons Chartered Surveyors, added: “Since the boxes were put up around Bowlees Visitor Centre there has definitely been an increase in the number of birds around the site, and that’s both good news for the birds and those watching them.

“We are very pleased to support the initiative and the aims of the organisation and would encourage people to make the most of the fantastic visitor centre.”