SWEDISH home furnishing giant IKEA is famed for its fashionable furniture and unusual designs.

Now a Walkden country park is sampling the company's modern concepts.

IKEA staff agreed to get their hands dirty to help Salford Council transform Blackleach Country Park.

This week, they have been involved in conservation projects in the park with council employees.

Benches are being made and walls built and the team is working with residents to plant thousands of colourful bulbs which will flower next spring.

work to revamp the area around the park's reservoir is also being carried out with Blackleach ranger Alistair Hemphill.

He said: "The company is helping with contributions towards materials as well. This is a great opportunity for us to realise some of our projects to improve Blackleach Country Park ."

Aimee Samuels-Meens, IKEA's training and development officer, said: "Everybody is excited at the opportunity of putting something back into their local environment and contributing to this little piece of countryside in the city."

Anyone interested in getting involved in conservation activities in the Walkden area is asked to call 0161-790-7746 for more details.