MORE than 600 trees have been planted by volunteers to breathe new life into the town.

The new trees will will bolster existing mature trees and eventually replace those that are lost naturally.

The young saplings were placed at the entrance to Dogwood which leads from the Moor to Tatton Park.

READ > Residents' fury as trees 'butchered' in Knutsford conservation area

The trees will eventually grow into larger specimens and will capture tonnes of carbon through their lives.

Students from Knutsford Academy joined councillors and volunteers and spent several hours digging holes and putting the saplings in.

Bob Allen, planning and facilities officer at Knutsford Town Council, said: “It was excellent to see support from the community.

"Everyone who came made huge efforts to endure the wind and the rain to make a positive difference to the town for years to come.

"Trees are an important source of oxygen for us all and we want to encourage tree planting wherever possible.”

The planting day was organised with support from the Tatton Group, as part of the council's nature action plan, which was adopted in March 2020.

Councillors have vowed to improve the town's biodiversity and natural habitats as well as tackle climate change.

Planting trees across the town is a key aspect of the plan to increase the biodiversity value of local areas and capture carbon from the atmosphere.

The very young saplings were provided by the Woodland Trust and The Conservation Volunteers.

The council is now preparing its second phase of tree planting on open spaces.

For more details visit knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/natureactionplan