A family has set to work enriching a small nature reserve near Shepton Mallet with more than 1,000 new trees and hedging plants.

Tobias Daniels helps to care for the Piltown Farm Estate in West Pennard which is owned by Paul Chant. 

Within the farmland is a 20 acre nature reserve that has had no heavy agricultural use for more than 100 years.

Wishing to create a diverse and sympathetic space for nature while sequestering carbon, Tobias invited the Somerset Wildlife Trust to survey a 50 acre portion of the estate in July 2021.

Tobias said: "The data revealed the presence of some fascinating species of flora including Somerset's Lady's Mantle, and along with the survey, we drew up a management plan to further aid the land's fantastic selection of plant life, while increasing its value to the environment and the local wildlife."

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The team made a plan of action which began at the start of this year. Planting more than 1,000 native trees and hedging plants, they have set about restoring a 200metre hedgerow and strategically planted trees including some beech around the acreage.

Tobias said: "My son Oscar and daughter Chloe helped, along with my younger brother Archie and elder brother, Tristan, who is the founder of the charity 'The Food Forest Project'.

"A good day was had by all and we went away with a rewarding sense that we are setting a good example for the agricultural industry."