An Essex County Council-backed climate and biodiversity scheme is set to plant 1,786 trees at Ulting Hall, Maldon, on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 January.

The Essex Forest Initiative was set up in 2019 and is committed to planting 375,000 trees (worth a total of £1 million) over a five-year period. Essex County Council says the purpose of the initiative is "to combat climate change, improve air quality and encourage biodiversity".

So far, volunteers have helped to plant 20,000 trees in locations such as Great Totham and Colchester over the last two months alone.

"Essex residents are doing their bit to help their local environment and the planet."

Councillor Peter Schwier (pictured above), the County Council's Climate Czar, said: "The work of the Essex Forest Initiative is crucial in the fight against climate change.

"The more new trees we are able to plant, the more carbon we can absorb from the atmosphere.

"Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions is our first defence against climate change, but trees play a vital role in mitigating the impact of these emissions.

"By volunteering to plant these trees, Essex residents are doing their bit to help their local environment and the planet."

Those wishing to volunteer for the remaining dates are asked to sign up via the registration form.

Last month, Essex County Council said filling potholes was "not a priority" while the cost of living crisis hits the authority.

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