COMMUNITY volunteers have turned out in force to give a North-East cemetery an autumn makeover.

The TS1 Tees Valley Community Group teamed up with the Friends of Thorntree Cemetery, in Middlesbrough, and Middlesbrough Council to plant trees in the graveyard.

The group planted saplings around sections of the perimeter of the cemetery as well as adding to bulbs and hedging already planted by the Council and the Friends group.

Gohar Ihsan, TS1 Tees Valley Community Group development officer, said: “I’m grateful to everyone who helped to bring the programme together, and it’s certainly something we’ll be looking to do again in the future.

“It’s been great to raise awareness and get local people involved in making a real difference for their local community.

“It was particularly pleasing to see so many young people taking part, and in the process help to bridge the gap to the older generation and foster a real sense of values and ethics.”

The group was set up to empower residents and encourage them to take on active roles within their communities.

Councillor Tracy Harvey, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for environment, said: “This clean-up and tree planting is a shining example of what can be achieved when local people come together, and I look forward to similar schemes elsewhere in the town.”

For more information on the TS1 Tees Valley Community Group, or to get involved, call 01642-817725.