A dedicated team of volunteers were this week busy clearing up the backlot at Elstree Film Studios as part of a project to provide extra facilities at the site.

Elstree Film and Television Studios sponsored a team from Borehamwood-based charity Working Herts to help tidy up a piece of land around its water tank.

Working Herts, which provides work experience for long-term unemployed people, sent four people to the studios this week to clear film props and debris.

The land being cleared at the Elstree Way studios is expected to be used by film and television companies when scenes are being shot in the water tank.

Studios director Neville Reid said: 'Some repair work is being done to the tank and it will be back in action fairly shortly, so this extra space will be very useful.'

The tank is one of two million gallon tanks specially made by the studios for the filming of Moby Dick, starring Gregory Peck, in 1954.

The clear-up of the land, which had not been tidied since the borough council took over the studios in 1996, was organised by the studios' estate manager, Paul Clark.

Working Herts was set up two years ago with the support of Hertsmere Borough Council in order to help long-term unemployed people to gain full-time jobs.

Based in Elstree Way, the charity currently provides training for around 50 people each year, all of whom have been unemployed for ten months or more.

Aside from the week-long studios project, Working Herts also has volunteers insulating and installing locks at Ridegehill Housing Association properties.

The organisation offers day training courses and driving lessons to those who enrol on its scheme. To find out more phone Working Herts on 020 8386 4848.