THE first thousand trees of a major extension to a Swindon woodland area have been planted near Wanborough.

The Woodland Trust, Nationwide, and Swindon Borough Council have teamed up to add more than 4,000 new trees to Pack Hill Wood as part of a massive £1.25m project.

The tree-mendous effort began yesterday, with planters working hard and battling strong gales and lashings of heavy rain to get the job done.

Wanborough resident and Swindon borough councillor Gary Sumner was amongst those supporting the effort.

He said: “The weather was shocking - the portaloos blew over because of the wind and luckily no-one was inside either of them at the time - but more than 30 people were there helping out, we all grabbed a shovel and started digging.

"I've been involved in similar projects and seeing trees you planted growing seven or eight feet tall is a very satisfying feeling, though these ones will take 10 to 12 years to fully grow.

"It's a long-term plan, like all woodland planning, and these trees will be part of the landscape for generations to come."

A variety of small trees were planted at the site, including oaks, crab-apple trees, and native trees.

The next batch of the remaining 3,000-or-so trees to be added to the area will be planted on February 15 2019.

Coun Sumner added: "We are really keen to see more trees planted in and around Swindon, because it's great for the environment and it makes the area a better place to live.

"Swindon Borough Council bought this site last year with a view to planting a further area of woodland by the New Eastern Villages, in a protected area which will be used by the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal.

"Nationwide and the Woodland Trust have been great partners helping us accomplish this, they've been very enthusiastic and we're glad to have their support on this project.

As well as tree-planting, Nationwide funds the trust’s Community Woods program, which engages communities across the UK in managing green sites designed to bring people together using nature, wildlife and trees.

The council and the Great Western Community Forest have been working with the Woodland Trust for many years at sites across the county improving access to existing woodland and planting new woods.

Pack Hill Wood is on the edge of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.