A TEAM of volunteers have taken up tools to stop the progress of a destructive plant at an east Durham beauty spot. Workers from law firm DWF and residential landlord Grainger plc carried out the project at Castle Eden Dene Nature Reserve, Peterlee , County Durham.

The reserve, which is the largest area of semi-natural woodland in the North-East, is suffering from an invasion of Himalayan balsam, which smothers significant expanses of the park, harming riverside habitats and native plants, and eroding riverbanks.

The volunteers took part in what is known as ‘balsam bashing’ – a technique used to uproot the problem trees.

The activity took place through Business in the Community (BITC), a business led charity focused on promoting responsible business practice.

The charity works with businesses throughout the UK to transform communities by tackling social and environmental issues that make a real difference.

Michael Whitworth, Real Estate Associate at DWF, comments: “DWF is determined to demonstrate a responsible approach to the environment and the local communities in which it operates.

“Having successfully worked in partnership with Grainger to support BITC last year to clean up Boggart Hole Clough in Manchester, we were keen to combine forces again to help protect such an important site of scientific interest in the North-East.”