Derbyshire tree samples used for fight against ash dieback

Samples collected by Natural England will protect trees species from ash dieback

Ash tree samples are being collected from woodlands in Derbyshire as part of a national project to protect the tree species from disease.

Natural England says collecting samples of ash that show resistance to ash dieback could play a key role in helping to secure the trees' future.

The disease is expected to kill up to 80% of ash trees across the UK.

A spokesperson from Natural England said the tree samples came from the Derbyshire Dales.

They will be used for breeding work, field trials and genetic research.

So far more than 1,000 tolerant ash trees have been sampled and planted within a public forest estate in Hampshire to start the first national archive.

Neil Ford, from Natural England, said: "Ash dieback is having a devastating impact across the country and on the ash-dominated ancient woodlands of the Peak District Dales.

"This is a fantastic collaboration that means one day we will be able to reintroduce disease resistant ash back into the iconic limestone dales of the Peak District."