ABOUT 18,000 native trees have been planted in the Yorkshire Dales over the winter months, as part of an initiative to create more woods.

The tree planting is part of an on-going project to try and double the amount of woodland in the Yorkshire Dales national park to 5,000 acres by 2020. The intention is to create more habitats for wildlife and absorb more carbon dioxide.

The season for planting trees has drawn to a close with the arrival of spring, as they need to be planted between October and March whilst the trees are dormant.

But the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) are celebrating having created 14 hectares of new woodland in that time.

The native broadleaf trees have been planted across the dales.

Among them is a sapling which has been planted by the trust in recognition of the support received from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

The charity lottery has raised more than £78,000 for the trust during 2011.

YDMT director David Sharrod said: "This young tree has been planted in a new woodland near Darley in Nidderdale to celebrate the fantastic support from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

“Thanks to this funding, we are able to deliver more projects that benefit the environment and our communities – like restoring native broadleaf woodlands."