Employees from the National Trust in Norfolk are being given a 'day-off' to volunteer in their local communities.

The national campaign 'Local Leap' will see more than 5,000 staff taking part on this year's leap day - February 29 - and using the time to get involved in a wide range of causes.

At Blickling Hall in Aylsham, a team will be cleaning the statues and stonework at Blickling Church.

Janet Perry, an East of England volunteer manager, will be volunteering at a park.

She said: 'The Local Leap day is our chance to give something back to the local community.

'I think the scheme is a great idea. It gives staff the opportunity to see how we can give something back outside of the Trust to our local communities - I find it really rewarding.'

The campaign will celebrate the importance of volunteering - the Trust itself is supported by more than 5,000 volunteers across the East of England.

Fiona Reynolds, director-general of the National Trust, added: 'The Trust knows first-hand how important volunteering is. We simply couldn't function without our volunteers.

'The sheer spread of the places we look after means that we have close links with communities the length and breadth of the country.

'Through Local Leap we want to get to know our local communities even better, and build new relationships into the future.'

The campaign also marks the centenary year of the death of one of the charity's founders, Octavia Hill.

? The National Trust is always on the look out for volunteers and people can sign-up for a taster day on Wednesday, February 29 by calling 01284 747500 or emailing ee.volunteering@nationaltrust.org.uk