THE last tree in more than 500,000 taking root in the area's biggest new wood was planted near Longnewton this week.

Coatham Wood, which covers 500 acres of former agricultural land, was acquired by the Forestry Commission nearly five years ago. It has since worked in partnership with Tees Forest to transform it into a community woodland.

The backbreaking job of hand-planting all the trees was completed on Wednesday. The partners were joined by Coun Sheila Corr for the final planting, and were helped by children - like Amy Bell - from St Mary's CE Primary School, Longnewton.

District manager of the commission, Andrew Smith, said: "Coatham is a very large wood in the context of the Tees Valley, where tree cover is well below the national average, so this really is a red letter occasion and the realisation of a greener vision for the region."

The land was bought in two parts during 1998 and is divided by a stream. Half a million trees have been planted since and a bridge linking the two areas and a car park have been built.

Mr Smith, added: "After five years some of the original trees we planted are now over six foot and people are walking their dogs and enjoying the area already.

"We are hoping eventually that some of the trees will grow to 100ft tall."

The new wood comprises a broad mixture of trees, ranging from oaks, birch and rowan to conifers.

Open spaces have also been created to ensure a diverse range of potential habitats for wildlife and plenty of opportunities for recreation. Eventually, a two- to three-mile walk will be created through the wood.

On the outskirts of Darlington, work is also under way at a second recently acquired Forestry Commission site at South Burdon, to create another Tees Forest wood.