YOUNG people in Hartlepool are today launching a clean-up of wildlife areas after vandals used them as rubbish dumps.
The group of youngsters, from the Jutland Road area will be spending the day cleaning up two ponds near the Teesbay Retail Park, off Brenda Road.
A popular site for wildlife, the ponds have been suffering from vandals dumping rubbish, including cardboard boxes.
The young men - aged between 14 and 18 - decided to "adopt" the ponds, clean them out and keep an eye on them in the future. They will also be installing seats around the ponds so more people can enjoy the wildlife.
The group made a successful application for a grant to clean up the areas from Pride in Hartlepool - a council initiative to clean up the town.
Andrea Bishop, Pride in Hartlepool coordinator, said: "This project has really captured the imagination of these young people. They are a tremendous example to us all."
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