NATURE lovers pitched in to help council workers improve a countryside footpath yesterday.

Darlington Borough Council's countryside team asked volunteers to take part in a practical Rights of Way day in Dinsdale Woods. Six people volunteered and helped countryside officers dig a ditch for a footpath between Middleton St George and Lower Dinsdale.

Countryside officer Malcolm Thompson said: "It went very well and it was a really nice day to be out in the woodland. We dug probably about 15 to 20 metres of drainage, which will mean any rain that comes down the hill goes into the drain. Hopefully, that will dry out the footpath."