New woodland proposed for county

The Woodland Trust aims to plant 200,000 native trees at the Essex site

A new 250 acre (101 ha) woodland is to be developed in an area of Essex.

Land at Elmstead Market, near Colchester, will be developed by the Woodland Trust - nurturing fragments of ancient woodland in the area.

The trust said if it raises the £2m to purchase the land it will create a haven for wildlife and local residents within a few years.

The scheme is part of the charity's plan to create over 1,500 acres (607 ha) of woods across the country.

Low Burnhall, near Durham, and an unidentified site in South East England have also been earmarked by the trust for new woodland areas - in a move to increase native woodland.

The trust plans to plant 200,000 native trees on land at Elmstead Market.

John Brown, of the trust, said: "If the trust manages to acquire the site it will make sure the land is never developed.

"By linking isolated pockets of existing Ancient Woodland, the trust can create woodland corridors which can be used by wildlife to move around the landscape."

Tracey Chapman, of Essex County Council, said the council supported the scheme as part plans for 250,000 new trees across the county.