The team helped out staff at the National Trust site by taking on tasks which the staff didn't have the time or resources to complete themselves.

The group worked hard all day clearing hay from fields, painting fences for holiday cottages and filling sandbags in preparation for more heavy rain.

Alastair Mills, one of the willing volunteers, said: "It was a great team building event as it's nice to get out of the office and get to know each other in an informal setting.

"It makes you feel really good to know that you've made a difference by helping out in the community. We all had an enjoyable and productive day - despite the rain!"

Simon Hiley, Head Ranger at the site said: "The team got stuck in and gave it their all, and, most importantly, all of the tasks were undertaken with enthusiasm and a good sense of humour.

"We couldn't have done it all without the help of the team from E.ON, so a big thank you to everyone that helped out."

E.ON UK finds and supports volunteering opportunities which provide a rewarding challenge for employees as part of its wider community relations programme. In 2006, staff spent over 32,000 hours volunteering on projects in their local communities.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• In 2006, 2,740 E.ON UK employees (representing nearly one in five employees) took part in at least one energy in the community volunteering programme, raising a total of £215,000 for good causes and volunteering a total of 32,000 hours;
• E.ON is the UK's largest integrated power and gas company - generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas - and is part of the E.ON group, the world's largest investor-owned power and gas company. We employ around 15,000 people in the UK;
• The IET Power Academy is a collaboration with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and a consortium of major energy companies, including E.ON UK;
• The Power Academy is a practical scheme that aims to reverse the decline in engineering student numbers by sponsoring promising people to take degrees in power-related engineering courses at six leading engineering universities: Southampton, Manchester, Strathclyde, and Queens University in Belfast, London and Cardiff.

For further information contact:

Deanna Mooney on 024 7618 3678