LOCAL charity Avon Needs Trees has now planted more than half of the trees for their new permanent 10,000 tree woodland at Stanley Lane near Chippenham.

Organisers are now calling for more volunteers to help complete planting the new woodland.

The charity officially purchased the site in early December 2021 after plans to buy land at Bolland Hill in Seend collapsed and announced tree planting days shortly after.

Members of the local community have since been working together to create the new woodland, which will help tackle the climate emergency, mitigate flooding, and boost local biodiversity.

More than 5,000 trees have been planted in 17 days, with volunteer days running till the end of January.

ANT’s director Dave Wood said: “It’s been a really exciting time at ANT between purchasing our second site at Stanley Lane and gaining permission to plant a new permanent woodland.

"We’ve been bowled over by the support and we are delighted to see the local community so enthusiastic to get involved with the project.

"We are continuing to plant throughout January to get the rest of the trees in the ground so we would love you to come join us to help create the new permanent woodland. A huge thank you to everyone who has helped so far."

Avon Needs Trees was set up in 2019 in response to the climate and biodiversity crises, with a mission to purchase land to permanently reforest and rewild in the Bristol-Avon river catchment area.

In August 2020, ANT purchased their first site at Hazeland, comprising 34 acres in the Marden Valley between Chippenham and Calne.

With National Lottery Heritage Fund funding and Woodland Trust support the charity has planted 10,000 native broadleaf trees and shrubs across two enormous pastures, allowing space for species rich grassland to flourish, as well as 50 orchard trees added for community benefit.

The charity's second site at Stanley Lane follows its abortive attempt to buy 19 acres at Seend near Melksham. The deal fell apart after tests revealed possible Roman or Medieval buried heritage.

If you would like to get involved in the creation of the new woodland at Stanley Lane, you can sign up for tree planting days on the ANT website at https://www.avonneedstrees.org.uk/volunteering/