BIG hearted students helped elderly care residents as part of a volunteer project to make a difference within their local community.

The 60-strong team from Darlington College spent three days sweeping fallen leaves, weeding flower beds and planting winter blooms in the grounds of Wilton House Care Home, in Darlington, for the Council for Voluntary Service’s (CVS) annual campaign.

Make a Difference Day encourages thousands of people across the country to take part in voluntary work.

Darlington College tutor Michelle Kelso said: “We have more than 200 students who have volunteered to help out at nine different schools and care homes across Darlington and North Yorkshire.

“We have a long association with the care home, with many of our students coming here for work experience, so it is lovely to be able to give something back.”

Paul Kelburn, manager of Wilton House Care Home, said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic having the students come in to help out - they have done a brilliant job.”

Student Jess Rinner, 17, of Darlington, was offered a part time job at Wilton House after her placement. She added: “I’m not a keen gardener but it has been really good sprucing the place up for winter.

“Wilton House is a lovely place and now it looks even better, the residents have really enjoyed having us around.”