New apprentices at Essity Prudhoe Mill swapped their usual workplace for the great outdoors during National Apprenticeship Week.

The eight young recruits were put to work planting trees and tidying flowerbeds to support the community.

The apprentices, all new to Essity’s award-winning training scheme, spent part of their first month on the project.

In collaboration with the Friends of Eastwoods Park charity, the group have planted dozens of fruit trees around the popular sports field.

Eastwoods Park, a Green Flag Award winner for the past three years, was originally created as the West Wylam Pit’s welfare field.

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Project manager at Friends of Eastwoods Park, Russ Greig, said: "We’re delighted to welcome the Essity apprentices, the contribution they’ve made to Eastwoods Park has saved the Friends of Eastwoods Park many man hours in achieving such a difference.

“The trees that have been planted are a much-needed boost to improving tree numbers and biodiversity within the park, but also a great way to provide fruit that our community can use.

“Since the creation of our charity in 2018, we have invested a vast amount of time and money in helping to transform Eastwoods Park for the benefit of our community.”