Residents asked to help to plant new woodland

Each tree will capture a tonne of carbon, said the council

Volunteers are being sought to help plant trees and create a new woodland area at a former colliery.

Wakefield Council wants to plant 13,000 new trees across a 13-acre site at Walton Colliery.

The authority said when fully grown each tree had the potential to capture one tonne of carbon, help prevent flooding and create new habitats for wildlife.

Jack Hemingway, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said volunteering was a chance to "help tackle climate change, get some exercise and give back to your community".

Volunteers can get involved with planting sessions on Wednesdays and weekends throughout January, but must book in advance.

The local authority has said it hopes to plant 50,000 trees in 2025-26, which it said would help it to reach its net zero goal by 2030.

"Last year, more than 700 people helped us to plant around 45,000 trees at Bullcliffe Wood," Mr Hemingway said.

"We were really pleased to have the support."

Wakefield Council has partnered with the White Rose Forest initiative which aims to plant seven million trees in West and North Yorkshire by 2025.

The White Rose Forest will form part of the Northern Forest of 50 million trees.

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