Volunteers have helped rejuvenate a meadow near Dereham after turning out for a day of green fingered activity - including removing a mattress from the site.

Volunteers have helped rejuvenate a meadow near Dereham after turning out for a day of green fingered activity - including removing a mattress from the site.

Supported by Breckland Council's Pride in Breckland team and The Wensum Valley Trust, 18 local residents turned out to make help the Scarning meadow conservation day on Saturday (23).

They helped to clear over-growth by strimming, weeding and raking and pruning hedges and trees. Six large sacks of litter, including a mattress, were collected on Scarning meadow.

The groups efforts will help encourage a varied and thriving ecosystem, while the cleared paths ensure the local community can enjoy the wildlife space. Plenty of tea and coffee was on offer as well as hot jacket potatoes straight from a bonfire burning with the pruned willow branches.

Key to the success of the conservation project will be the continued involvement of committed volunteers who will take part in several conservation days throughout the year to ensure that the meadows can be enjoyed for many more years to come, said Breckland Council.

Richard Wills, Pride in Breckland co-ordinator, said: 'The response I received for the Scarning conservation day was overwhelming. It was great to see everybody contributing and as a team we could make a huge impact to this important community site.' Councillor Theresa Hewett, executive member for communities at Breckland added: 'We are extremely grateful that members of the local community took time off to prune the conservation hedges, clear overgrown invasive plants, and strim and rake tangled grass. We rely on local residents who volunteer to help us tackle these conservation tasks - they make all the difference.'