A series of new community woodlands have been established across Country Durham in a bid to improve community access to nature.

Roughly 24,000 mixed native trees and shrubs were planted across nine sites between February and April last year.

Planting comprised around three hectares of new woodland per site and was carried out by contractor Microsite and members of the community.

Speaking on the County Durham community woodlands project, founder and contracts/operations manager at Microsite, Peter Holder says: “The project is very much in line with our ethos of connecting people with their local environments which allows us to set an example to other SME’s how incorporating environmental and social value into our operations can have a direct economic benefit to our business and the wider community.’’

A mix of biodegradable and recyclable Tubex tree shelters supplied by distributor Trees Please were used to protect the saplings.

Funding for the project was facilitated by the North East Community Forest and Forestry Commission in England.