Landowners in the south west created more than 100 hectares of new woodland in the last planting season thanks to support from the Woodland Trust.

But not content to rest on its laurels, the charity wants to increase that amount by 50 per cent later this year.

The Trust works with individual landowners to supply native trees for creating new woodland, for wildlife, enjoyment by their families or for future wood products.

These are planted by the landowner themselves or by specially selected contractors who understand the requirements of natural character woodlands – a mix of trees that reflect the climate and soils of the location.

Graham Burton, outreach manager for the trust in the south west, said: "We have been working hard with farmers and other landowners to plan and create natural woodlands. It has been great to see the commitment of so many people to improve their environment in this way. We are now keen to hear from more people who would like to plant trees in the 2019-2020 planting season which runs from November to March.

“Trees not only look good but they do good as well. They can provide shelter for livestock and crops, improve soil, water and air quality, and also be a source of additional income.”

Around half of the planting was done under the trust’s flagship MOREWoods scheme. The remainder was through the trust helping landowners to apply for woodland creation grants under the government’s Countryside Stewardship scheme.

Since it started in 2010, MOREWoods has seen the creation of more than 2,000 hectares of woodland and the planting of over two and a half million trees across the UK.

Anyone who wishes to plant a minimum half a hectare of their land (1.25 acres) can sign up to MOREWoods. The Woodland Trust offers expert advice and guidance on creating native woodland and can provide the best species mix for each site. The trust will also contribute up to 60 per cent of the set up costs and for larger sites of a hectare or more can arrange to plant the trees as well.