YOUNG people in a north Durham community have helped start a project to transform a new nature reserve on their doorstep - with the aim of encouraging more people to use the countryside.

The project at Dipton is being funded with £25,000 from the Heritage Lottery's Young Roots scheme, which aims to involve people aged 13 to 20 in building skills, confidence and community involvement.

The cash will be used for landscaping, to improve footpaths, and to set up interpretation boards at Derwentside District Council's Deep Dene nature reserve.

Groundwork West Durham woodland officer Claire Longstaff, who is taking a lead role in the project, said: "The cash will be used to focus on nature reserves surrounding the village - at Pontop Fell, Delight Bank and Harelaw Heath.

"It has been proposed that a nature trail will link the three sites, which will eventually be designated as the Deep Dene nature reserve.

"The nature reserve will be an important resource for young and old people alike.

"The intention is to have the sites fully accessible to wheelchairs as well."

Project partners Groundwork West Durham and the Dipton Partnership Youth Project have formed a committee, including representatives of guides and scouts.

Ms Longstaff said: "We will be discussing with children what developments they would like to see. It has to be driven by them.

"We have had two meetings where young people have outlined their ideas."

Freda Toon, of the youth project, said: "The aim is to give young people social and practical skills to help them realise the project. It will benefit the whole community.

"The young people will act as mentors for children who are younger than them and when older people see the benefits of the project, they too will, hopefully, become involved."

Practical work is expected to begin in August.

Deep Dene nature reserve is one of five new nature reserves overseen by Karen Fisher, the first local nature reserve officer for Derwent-side.

The others are Kyo Bogs, Catchgate; Harperley and Pea Woods, Tanfield Lea; and Allenford Woods, at Moorside.