SCOUTS and Cubs have ensured a bright start to spring by planting 2,000 bluebell bulbs at a beauty spot.

Members of the 17th St Aidan group, from Hartlepool, were at the Greatham Beck Wildlife Corridor Nature Reserve, on Saturday.

They have adopted a stretch of the beck, and have been working tirelessly, with the backing of Hartlepool Borough Council's countryside warden service, and Pride in Hartlepool campaign.

Their aim is to protect one of the last retreats of the endangered water vole.

Scout Callum Arnison said: "The bluebell planting is just the latest in a series of tasks that we do regularly along this stretch of beck.

"We've planted more than 2,000 trees, shifted tons of stuff causing dams, so that floods are less likely, and removed dozens of bags of litter."

Earlier this year, the Scouts had a holiday at Kielder Water, as a reward for coming first in the environmental category of Northumbrian Water's Square Mile Project.

Countryside warden Robert Smith said: "The beck is high on the list of Hartlepool's valuable wildlife habitats. Until recently, it was in decline because of vandalism and heavy littering, and without the work these youngsters have put in, not nearly so much could have been achieved."