YOUNGSTERS who have helped improve the look of their village have enjoyed some festive fun.

Members of the New Brancepeth Youth Group have created a "pocket park'' on dere-lict land near the village hall and installed artwork on it.

During a day of festive fun, they planted holly trees in the park and had the chance to learn circus skills, such as juggling and stiltwalking, and also how to make Christmas decorations.

Glen Duckett, of Groundwork East Durham, which has helped with the scheme, said: "The pocket park was reclaimed last year by New Brancepeth Youth Group, who raised thousands of pounds to regenerate an under-used site as part of the Barclays Sitesavers regeneration scheme.

"Since then, the group has raised an additional £1,500 from the County Durham Foundation to design artistic metalwork features to install on the site.

"It is hoping to secure more money from the National Lottery Awards for All to design their own seat for the site.''