VILLAGERS' efforts to further improve the appearance and image of their community have received a boost.

Hartlepool Council has approved funding of £500 after a request for support from the Greatham in Bloom organisation.

The money, which has been made available through the council's Pride in Hartlepool environmental improvement campaign, will enable residents to care for an area of partially-wooded land.

Greatham in Bloom secretary Brian Walker said: "We would like to say a big thank you to Pride in Hartlepool for agreeing this funding, which has enabled us to get our Tall Trees Spring Woodland Conservation Project off to a flying start.

"The site is in a central location within Greatham and looks rather sterile and lacks purpose.

"We hope to involve village children in creating something of beauty that they can be proud of."

Keeley Metcalfe, the council's community environmental action officer, said: "Pride in Hartlepool is all about encouraging people to get directly involved in schemes to improve their communities.

"Greatham in Bloom reflects that. It has a tremendous track record in terms of villagers working together to improve the local environment."