People across the Dengie are being urged to plant free trees and hedges as part of a new initiative led by a local environmental charity. 

The Dengie Climate Action Partnership has almost 400 saplings to be made available to local community groups, schools, residents, and Town and Parish Councils after Maldon District Council donated them.

Jo Coombes of the Dengie Climate Action Partnership said, "Trees and hedges are essential in our local landscape, creating windbreaks, reducing erosion, and ensuring healthy soil. They are hugely important for our wildlife and support nature's food chain. And, of course, they are beautiful and life-enhancing."

The Dengie Climate Action Partnership is calling on as many people as possible to plant these trees to enrich the local environment.

"We want to thank Maldon District Council for donating the saplings as part of our projects to increase tree cover in the Dengie Peninsula. It is an important opportunity to improve biodiversity locally. We will use this initiative to raise awareness of the value to the public of trees and hedges in our communities," added Jo Coombes.

Trees fight climate change and produce oxygen, so whether planted on public land, in playgrounds, parks, church grounds, or around gardens, they benefit everyone.

The tree and hedge saplings are held for now in Burnham on Crouch and anyone interested can email [email protected] or contact the Dengie Climate Action Partnership @dengieclimate on Facebook or email [email protected]. Specialists in the group can advise on planting, watering, and other care