GREEN-FINGERED volunteers came out in force to spruce up their area in Newton Aycliffe on Saturday (March 21).

More than 30 residents took part in the Big Dig, a national scheme to encourage people to volunteer in their local parks and community gardens.

They spent the three hours at the town’s Pioneering Care Centre, in Carers Way, where they were building some new raised beds after securing £13,000 of funding from the Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership.

Kirsty Deacon-Brown said it was the second year the town had taken part in the scheme and that there are currently weekly activities for people of all ages to enjoy at the centre which, as part of the Pioneering Care Partnership, aims to improve health and reduce health inequalities by offering opportunities to disadvantaged communities.

The children also enjoyed getting stuck into painting some bird boxes and plant pots.

“We are trying to create a socially inclusive garden at the centre so it’s our way of launching that,” Ms Deacon-Brown said.

“We are trying to get everyone involved and we have had some familiar faces take part but also some new faces.”

For more information or to get involved in the centre visit pcp.uk.net