VOLUNTEERS rolled up their sleeves and mucked in to make a success of Bury Environment Week.

They took part in seven days of serious and amusing events designed to defend and promote our green surroundings.

Everything from guided walks to exploring bat habitats, clean-up operations and creepy-crawly storytelling sessions for children has been happening across the borough.

And the biggest event is yet to come - tomorrow a huge Environment Fair is being held at the Castle Leisure Centre in Bury, from 10am to 4pm.

The biggest in the region, it features 50 stalls and a variety of entertainment during the day, as well as hands-on experiments and chances to win prizes. And tree-growing kits will be handed out free of charge, to encourage people to grow seeds in local woodlands.

Outside the centre, the Government's Are You Doing Your Bit? roadshow will be in full swing, where a mobile exhibition is open to visitors who can receive free action packs and water-saving devices.

The fun continues on Sunday at Philips Park, Whitefield, where, from noon to 3pm, environmental games will take place together with a guided walk.

Pictured busting a grot spot at Pyramid Park in Bury are (left) Louise Walsh, student placement officer at Bury College, and student Joanne Boodle (18).

To get involved in conservation work, contact Daveen Wallis, the Bury Local Nature Reserves project officer, on 01204 361847 or BTCV on 796 6404.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.