A DEDICATED group of young people want locals to dig in and help them clean up their school.

The 15 and 16-year-olds need donations of gardening equipment such as tools, watering cans, and wheel barrows, along with plants, bird boxes and garden seats, to create a wildlife area at Gilesgate Comprehensive.

The 19 teenagers have drawn up a plan to tidy and develop the overgrown area as part of their Bronze Youth Achievement Award.

They are relying on donations of unwanted items from local people and businesses.

Overseeing the work is Pat Hill, senior education worker at Gilesgate Community Association.

She said: "The area is overgrown and the ponds are just filled with gunge. It could be a fantastic area, but we have no equipment.

"The young people want to do this for students and also for the public because this is a community school.

"It would be lovely to use the area for fundraising events or outside concerts for example.

"The group has very good ideas and have worked very hard on drawing up plans for the garden. They just need the equipment to get started."

The Youth Achievement Awards are designed to benefit local communities and develop youngsters' skills.

To donate items, write to Pat Hill, Gilesgate Community Association, Bradford Crescent, Durham, DH1 1HN, or call 0191-386 1933 and arrangements will be made to collect any items.