NATURE enthusiasts from a customer contact centre have dug deep in an effort to improve a local conservation area.

The 19 volunteers from npower joined forces with Tees Valley Wildlife Trust to help conserve Portrack Marshes Nature Reserve, Stockton.

The reserve, neart Tees Barrage, is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest, and home to a variety of wildlife including kingfishers, sandmartins, swans and waterfowl.

In a bid to improve the area - for wildlife and visitors - the volunteers carried out a number of tasks, including wildflower planting, moving visitor benches, painting signs and relocating a floating island for the waterfowl in one of the small lakes.

Julie Jaglowski, npower's head of customer services, said: "We feel strongly that our employees should be encouraged to participate in community volunteering projects.

"We are committed to improving the environment and are looking forward to many more employees taking part in the host of activities we have running throughout the year."

The staff were taking part in the npower Community Volunteers Scheme, which matches willing volunteers with local groups that need help.

It also allows staff who are involved with voluntary initiatives or charity events to apply for financial support on behalf of organisations.