A FORESTRY group is hoping to improve the countryside around Darlington with the opening of a base in the town.

North East Community Forests (NECF) has opened its first office in Darlington, in Whessoe Road, which is likely to create work for up to 20 people.

The organisation also wants to recruit volunteers to help with the numerous wildlife projects being undertaken in Darlington.

NECF, which includes Tees Forest, works in partnership with Darlington Borough Council to maintain and improve the 60 square miles of countryside in the borough.

Clive Davies, regional director of NECF, said: "We have got a lot of work to do here in Darlington. I think this is the start of an exciting phase.

"What we are wanting to do on the one hand is provide opportunities for Darlington residents to volunteer.

"On the other side of the equation, we want to make sure that the countryside in and around Darlington is well managed and of the best quality, so that it is usable and accessible for everyone."

NECF has been working in Darlington for the past five years and carries out many schemes in partnership with Darlington Borough Council.

Projects have included a new tree nursery at Barmpton Lane, work on Drinkfield Marsh local nature reserve, footpaths at Houghton-le-Side and Coatham Mundeville, Redworth fishing pond and the Whinnies.

The office will enable more work to be carried out and the creation of extra nature reserves.

Mr Davies said: "We will immediately be taking on three trainees from the employment service - people who come to us through the New Deal and the like. We see ourselves being able to expand significantly from that.

"My personal vision is that we would probably be looking at ten to 20 trainees in a relatively short space of time.

"We also want many more volunteers. Men or women who love the countryside and want to help improve it."

Rob George, the council's countryside officer, said he welcomed the presence of NECF in the town.

"There is a lot of countryside out there to explore and a lot of it is high quality."

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for NECF should telephone (01325) 484949 or (01642) 300716.