Trees for wildlife in Belton

The project is the first step in an exciting new project to create a new three-hectare woodland on the unusued farmland surrounding the landfill.

To benefit wildlife, the volunteers will plant locally native trees - mostly oak and silver birch.

They will also be creating woodland rides, lined by shrubs such as hazel, hawthorn and guelder rose.

In the future there are plans to introduce native woodland wildflowers, to futher enhance the habitat,

The activities form part of the Big Tree Plant, run by Defra and The Forestry Commission, with many of the trees supplied by TCV and others provided by Simons Group.

A council spokesman said: “Our work today marks the beginning of an exciting period in the Isle of Axholme with a number of projects coming forward through the Isle of Axholme and Hatfield Chase Landscape Partnership.

“By creating a new woodland, we are hoping to make the best use of the old landfill site, with new wildlife habitat, carbon storage and enhancement of the local landscape.”