VOLUNTEERS will be joining forces with students to take part in a series of events to improve their local communities in Teesdale.

As part of national Make A Difference Day, residents around the dale will be encouraged to take part in events organised by local community groups.

The initiative will begin on October 25, when pupils from Staindrop School will help the Staindrop Christmas Lights Committee to clean the village's Silver Jubilee Memorial, between 10am and 1pm.

The national Make A Difference Day will be held on October 26, and volunteers from around Cockfield will be urged to take part in a litter pick around the village.

Participants can turn up between 10am and 3pm to collect a pair of protective gloves and equipment, provided by Teesdale District Council, before taking part in the litter pick.

There will be free refreshments, balloons and a prize for the most litter collected.

The Teesdale events have been organised by voluntary and community support group 2D, with sponsorship for the nationwide event provided by Barclays Bank and Woolwich Building Society.

For further details about Make A Difference Day visit www.csv.org.uk/madd