AN ARMY of volunteers have been sprucing up landmarks around around Durham City as part of national Volunteers’ Week.

Durham County Council’s Civic Pride team is supporting groups who are taking part in a scheme or project to mark the annual event.

Several events have been held to mark the campaign, including repainting the bandstand near Durham City Cricket Club with support from apprentices and volunteers from construction company Carillion.

Carillion, the company behind the ongoing Freeman’s Reach project in Durham City, supports environmental schemes in areas where they have built new developments.

At the same time, volunteers from King’s Church in Fieldhouse Lane, Durham, have been giving the seats along from the bandstand a lick of paint – complementing the new seating already installed by the council.

Volunteers from the Durham Agency Against Crime HAGGRID Project and Virgin Trains East Coast, alongside the council’s Clean and Green team, also installed a carpet bed, with a design inspired by the Magna Carta, at Durham Railway Station.

It is in recognition of the Magna Carta exhibition at Durham University’s Palace Green Library. The carpet bed will provide an impressive welcome to visitors as well as forming part of Durham City’s entry in both the Northumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competitions.

Pauline Walker, senior civic pride officer at Durham County Council, said: “We are delighted to support such hard working volunteers who are giving up their own time to enhance the local area for everybody to enjoy.

“Volunteering brings people from all walks of life together giving them the opportunity to share their different skills and experience. Their efforts really contribute to the overall appearance and attractiveness of our area.”

For more information about Civic Pride visit www.durham.gov.uk/civicpride.