ENVIRONMENTAL mana-gers from around the country gathered in Cleeve Prior this week to celebrate World Environment Day.

On Monday they rolled up their sleeves and joined the volunteers of Cleeve Prior Heritage Trust in a special day of "Action Earth" on a variety of green spaces and nature reserves round the village.

"This was a very special event to mark World Environment Day and a great opportunity for people who care about their planet and want to improve the countryside," said Don Warren, chairman of the Heritage Trust.

"Cleeve Prior Heritage Trust now manages some 28 acres of green spaces around the parish.

"Our community orchard has been enlarged thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and another old orchard has been saved by our sister organisation, Vale Landscape Heritage.

"We look after the Millennium Green, the Parish Sanctuary and Leisure Garden, part of the Village Wharf and of course the Community Wildlife Garden and Environmental Centre at Field Barn itself."