A group dedicated to planting trees in Bridport has received more than 400 saplings and has a promising partnership with Magna Housing.

Bridport Tree Planting, formed in autumn last year, works closely with Bridport Town Council and has a modest tree nursery at Riverside Gardens, planting 1,000 new trees in the town over the past year.

The group plants trees to counteract the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, to increase biodiversity and wildlife, to provide shade and cooling and to protect against flooding.

It has now received 400 new trees.

Joe Hackett, co-ordinator of Bridport Tree Planting, said: "These are all native species, crab apple. Hawthorn, hazel, downy birch, silver birch, dogwood, dogrose, wild cherry, blackthorn, rowan, goat willow and a few others and we have another 200 more saplings on the way so are accepting orders now."

The group, part of West Dorset Friends of the Earth, aims to help double tree cover nationally to fight global warming and benefit nature.

Joe added: "Mass planting of trees by crowds of people, such as our plating of more than 200 trees in an afternoon last December in Asker Meadows are not possible during lockdown. But there is nothing to stop individuals asking for trees.

"We offer free tree guards too, and hope to resume big-scale planting in the new year. We have a promising partnership with Magna Housing and are looking at two new sites they own."

Members of Bridport Tree Planting hope to be working with them on two sites before the spring.

The group has been busy this autumn, spotting suitable plots for trees around the town, getting in touch with parish councils, and are hoping to do a big planting of 500 trees in Burton Bradstock in January or February.

The group also hopes to hold a public event, More Trees Please, on Saturday, February 20 from 2pm to 4pm at Bridport United Church. There will be lots of trees to give away, an art event and more.

To find out more or to get involved, email Joe at [email protected]