A COMMUNITY project to improve a beauty spot overlooking the River Tees has received support from a local retirement village.

The Front at Middleton One Row has been transformed over the last year, with volunteers from a friends group working to clear away overgrowth and make the site accessible for visitors.

Although there is still work to be done following biodiversity and wildlife studies, a seating area overlooking the riverfront has now been created on the top of a former derelict toilet block.

Two benches, made from recycled materials, and a large flower tub to complete the seating area were donated by Middleton Hall, a nearby retirement village.

Jeremy Walford, managing director of Middleton Hall, said: “We are very much a part of Middleton One Row and the community here so we felt that we wanted to do something to contribute to the project.

“It’s a fantastic spot overlooking the river and these benches are just a little something for the village.”

Anne Lambton, a Friends volunteer, who helped to plant up the flower tub, said: “We’ve been working on the project for about a year now and it looks beautiful at the moment with the daffodils coming out.

“It’s a brilliant donation from the retirement hall, all we had to do was add some flowers.”