PUPILS have helped plant 150 trees donated to their school to celebrate the 150th anniversary of an agricultural services firm.

Staff from Cargill, which provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services around the world, visited St Francis Xavier School in Richmond to plant the trees as part of a Tree Appeal to promote biodiversity at schools.

Students taking part were able to gain hands-on experience of planting trees, and learn their importance in providing a habitat for wildlife, promoting biodiversity and preserving the natural environment.

The trees planted were all British native broadleaf species including beech, field maple and rowan, all grown locally from collected seed.

The Tree Appeal, based in Barnard Castle, is a scheme designed to encourage businesses to fund trees for schools around the UK.

Martin Douglas OBE, managing director of Cargill, which has an office in Dalton, near Thirsk, said, "It was a brilliant day for Cargill people to help put a little back into our community.

“We are a rural based business and we know that keeping landscape in good shape is an important part of our responsibility both as a business and individually.

“Adding to woodland is both environmentally sensible and helps to preserve the characteristics of the wonderful Yorkshire countryside that we are proud to live in.

“It is a pleasure to help in this small way and Cargill would like to thank St Francis Xavier School for inviting us to help.”

To find out more about the Tree Appeal visit www.treeappeal.com.