rubbish has been turned into art to transform a derelict piece of land.

Young people on a summer holiday scheme used willow and waste to make animal and flower sculptures on wasteland next to the Old Billingham Community Centre, and a residential home, which is being transformed into a community garden.

Rubbish has been cleared the land levelled, and trellises erected. Planting will take place in October, so it was decided sculptures were needed to brighten up the garden until then.

The Tees Valley wildlife trust asked youngsters and performers in the Billingham Folklore Festival to help this week, while Barclays Bank staff cooked a barbecue.

More than 20 plans have been received from local people for the garden.

Jane Ellis, of the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, which is managing the project, said: "A number of activities have been planned in the coming months to involve locals in sowing wildflower meadows, installing a butterfly garden, planting trees and building bird boxes."

Middlesbrough charity Play and Education Resource Centre provided waste materials to create the sculptures.

The garden is one of a series of activities planned at neglected or eyesore sites, where year-long projects are funded by Barclays to restore them for community use.