A DAY of tree-related fun activities takes place on Chester-le-Street's Riverside sports ground, on Sunday.

Families are invited to take part in the event, organised by the Great North Forest as part of a national initiative, Trees of Time and Place.

Visitors have the chance to design their own miniature forest with help from artists, or have a go at making their own puppet and dreamcatcher.

There will also be "weird and wonderful" storytelling sessions on offer, and people will have the opportunity to learn to create individual Christmas decorations, using willow.

The activities are aimed at promoting growth and care for trees, with participants encouraged to collect seeds and grow their own tree from seed for the new millennium.

Sunday's event, which runs from 11am to 4pm, is backed by Chester-le-Street District Council, Groundwork West Durham, and is backed by the Countryside Agency, Esso and the Hanson Environmental Trust.

Most activities will take place indoors, at the park centre, on the riverside.

Admission is free, but children under the age of eight must be accompanied by an adult.

Further information is available from Caroline Jackson, at Groundwork West Durham, telephone (01388) 662666, or Christine Knox, of the Great North Forest, on 0191-460 6200.