VOLUNTEERS are hard at work in a North Yorkshire woodland, ensuring that "access for all" means exactly that.

The workers from the Vale of York group of BTCV - formerly known at the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers - have been busy since April putting in a boardwalk and improving access at Lady Spring Wood, close to the River Derwent at Malton.

The team, who are working for Ryedale District Council under the supervision of project officer Steve Pinnell, are particularly concentrating on access for the disabled.

Voluntary officer James Fleetwood said they were creating wheelchair access, including passing places, so that two wheelchairs could get past each other at the same time.

He said they were working two to three days a week, with teams of between seven and 15 people taking part at a time.

Mr Fleetwood said getting several people to the site had been difficult at times, particularly when they were bringing in large amounts of wood, though he added: "The weather has been glorious."

They hoped to have finished the project by the middle of July.

Updated: 10:29 Wednesday, May 07, 2003