VOLUNTEERS have joined forces to breathe new life into a cricket hut.

Around 25 people from the local community rolled up their sleeves to redecorate the hut in North Bitchburn, near Bishop Auckland, to mark National Make a Difference Day on Saturday.

The project has been co-ordinated by volunteer agency 2D, which is based in Crook, along with Wear Valley District Council and Groundwork West Durham's Pride Campaign.

B&Q provided the workers with £500 worth of paint and other materials and Willington Football Club provided flagstones for outside.

Other help came in the form of grants from Wear Valley District Council and W Marley Transport, of Constantine Farm, North Bitchburn, transported the flagstones free of charge.

The village pub, The Red Lion, provided free food for the workforce and a cooker for the kitchen.

Organiser Lindsay Wright said that the volunteers felt passionately about the project and had been overwhelmed by the support they had received.

She said: "We are thrilled with the popularity of this project as the cricket hut is a valuable resource for the village. Everyone has worked really hard."

The majority of the volunteers came from the village.

The cricket hut is the only building available for public use, and is used by the Community Association, the cricket club and for social events.

Councillor David Nevens, from North Bitchburn, said: "It is amazing what you can do when the whole community pulls together, with the guidance of 2D and Groundwork."