Cumbria charity Friends of the Lake District's Flora of the Fells project is looking for volunteers to take part in two big 'Fell Care Days' this autumn.

The Fell Care Days - at Ullswater on Thursday 27 September, and at Windermere on Thursday 25 October, will highlight the huge role that volunteering plays in looking after and managing the fells.

Last year 200 volunteers, 130 schoolchildren and 33 organisations took part in similar events at Helvellyn and Ennerdale. They planted 1000 trees, cleaned out 10.5km of drains, rebuilt 25 metres of dry stone walls and repaired woodland paths - completing the equivalent of 145 volunteer work days in just two days.

This year's Fell Care Days will build on last year's achievements, say organisers. Volunteers and local school children will again be taking on a range of tasks including footpath work and drain clearance, coppicing trees and woodland work, dry stone walling, litter picking, footpath and wildlife surveying.

Sue Manson, Flora of the Fells Project Officer said:

'The upland fells play a really important part in terms of our quality of life and maintaining the health of the wider environment; from locking up carbon in peat soils and woods to providing and filtering drinking water and absorbing heavy rainfall to help prevent flooding. This is in addition to all the job and recreation opportunities, farming and tourism they sustain, so we really need to keep our fells in good shape.'

'The Fell Care Days are a great chance for people to get involved and help look after the Lake District Fells. We'll have a task to suit most volunteers, whatever their age, fitness or mobility. We'll assign people to small groups with skilled leaders so it's a great opportunity to spend a fulfilling day outdoors and learn some new skills in the company of some great people. You could even join us as part of a group – why not get your friends or work colleagues to come along too?'

If you are an individual, group or business interested in volunteering on either day please contact Sue Manson by email or tel 01539 733187.