One thousand sapling trees have been planted in the Yorkshire Dales – with the help of a band of volunteers from Richmondshire District Council.

Armed with spades and wellies the ten members of staff took part in a Sustainable Swaledale initiative which has already planted 10,000 trees in 20 locations over the last two years.

They went to Healaugh in the National Park to work with Swaledale group leaders, Rob Macdonald and David Gathercole to help plant a mixed hedgerow of native plants including blackthorn (sloe), crab apple and holly on a sloping hill.

“This was a challenging but enjoyable day, and it was great to be out in the community,” said Climate Change Officer, Ollie Braithwaite.

“We have been involved in lots of tree planting projects through the council’s communitree scheme which has offered grants to local groups, but this is the first time we have gone out there and helped plant them too!”

The council’s Communitree scheme has seen 350 trees planted by five groups across the district – Richmond Town Council; and Newton-le-Willows, Hornby, Scorton, and Finghall and Constable Burton parishes.