WATER workers swapped the office for the great outdoors to help spruce up some picturesque riverbanks.

Seven Northumbrian Water workers spent a day clearing bramble and ivy from the riverbanks near Durham Cathedral.

Cathedral staff use the spot for outdoor education for visiting schools.

Pam Stewart, the cathedral’s outdoor learning officer, said: “Our outdoor learning area is a lovely space with felled logs for the children to sit on in a circle and we take them there to teach them about various things like plants, animals and habitats.

"We also deliver environmental art, history and geography on the riverbanks.

“The area was a little overgrown and so we’re very grateful that volunteers from Northumbrian Water helped clear the undergrowth, making it a safer and more enjoyable place for us to take the children.

“We will also be levelling out a path to make the area more accessible.”

The event was part of Northumbrian Water’s corporate partnership with the cathedral and involved staff from the firm’s supply chain management team.

The company’s Just an Hour scheme allows staff up to 15 hours’ paid community work time per year.