Conservation volunteers have celebrated a year of hard work with a Christmas raffle.

The Kent High Weald Partnership host a ‘thank you’ task every year where volunteers enjoy a festive feast and winter wreath making in the green spaces of Tunbridge Wells.

This year it was a little different with the addition of a free raffle with prizes donated by local businesses and KHWP staff.

The day at Sherwood Lakes started with some ‘rhodi bashing’.

This is the cutting back of the non-native invasive rhododendron bush which can threaten to take over in woodland, shading out wildflowers such as bluebells.

Volunteers then received a free raffle ticket where they could win prizes including 2 tickets to the Seven Wonders of the Weald, a season ticket for Kent County Council Country Parks and a £10 voucher for flowers at Blooming Green plant nursery.

KHWP Greenspaces officer Sarah Tree said: "Between the group they have spent an amazing 4,220 hours on various projects and task days in and around Tunbridge Wells, making our borough a better place for people and wildlife.

"It’s hard to put a value on that kind of effort but the raffle was our small way of thanking the volunteers for all their hard work during the year."

For more info or to join the volunteers in the new year visit: www.khwp.org.uk or call 01580 212972.