CHILDREN have been helping to transform a village green.

The green in West Herrington, near Houghton-le-Spring, is undergoing a facelift after the village secured grants of £2,500.

Biffaward, the environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, uses landfill tax credits from Biffa Waste Services and has awarded the cash through its small grants scheme to enhance work carried out by Sunderland City Council.

The project involved landscape improvements to the village green. Existing shrubs and woodchip will be removed and replaced with cultivated shrubs, paving and gravel.

The aim is to provide a striking and attractive centre to the village.