Youngsters aged between eight and 14 have spent the last four weeks helping out Oakwell's rangers in the 100-acre Nutter Lane park.

They have helped pull Himalayan balsam from the grounds which had grown to several feet tall, helped build and paint a handrail for a new path, clear vegetation and finished the programme off with a week of den building from the plants and willow in the grounds.

Ranger Emma Crowley said the scheme was something Oakwell wanted to start because there wasn't anything for the age group.

She said: "There's the Nature Club for nought to eight-year-olds and the Kirklees-run Enviroyouth which is for 15 upwards. There's nothing for those inbetween, so we decided to set up the young rangers scheme, which also fits in with our play strategy, encouraging children to be more adventurous.

"The children really enjoyed it, commenting on how much fun they had and how they enjoyed using the tools.

"We hope to do this again in autumn, and maybe start it running through the year."