YOUNG and old have joined forces to brighten up their neighbourhood in time for a regional horticultural contest this summer.

Pupils from Fishburn Primary School have been working alongside older volunteers to design a new look for the village.

Their ideas and hard work at a host of planting events over the next few months will enable the village to enter The Royal Horticultural Society's Northumbria in Bloom competition.

The project, Fishburn in Bloom, is funded by One NorthEast and Age Concern Durham County in an attempt to make the area look its best and break down barriers between the generations.

It was launched in October, on Make a Difference Day, when 16 volunteers and 22 children planted 2,000 daffodil bulbs and 1,000 crocus bulbs next to the playing fields, off Butterwick Road.

Yesterday, the group planted 100 metres of trees along the edge of the playing fields.

There will also be a design workshop next Thursday, from 1pm to 3pm, at Fishburn Primary School.

Environmental group Groundwork East Durham and Sedgefield Borough Council are supporting the planting events.

For more information about the project call Marianne Patterson, Intergenerational Programme Worker, on 0191-386 3856.