WATER workers built a 40ft bird hide in a few hours to mark World Wetlands Day.

The bird-watching hut was built at The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Washington when a challenge was laid down to 15 Northumbrian Water employees.

The task began at 8am on Tuesday when the first workers began sawing, painting, and hammering together the hide.

They had to complete their challenge before 4.30pm but the timber construction was finished, an hour early, with felt-lined roof, windows and two coats of paint.

They even made a plaque, which was unveiled by Northumbrian Water's wastewater and networks director Henry Wilson.

Chris Francis from the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust said: "They worked like Trojans and did a cracking job. It looks the part and is now open to the public.

"We had an opening ceremony and Henry Wilson pulled the drawstring of the little blue curtain to unveil a plaque."