YOUNGSTERS received some very special help in their mission to keep the country green – by none other than the Gruffalo.

They enjoyed a beastly treat when the children’s favourite helped them out on a special tree-planting project.

Youngsters from Coppice Valley primary in Harrogate were taking part in Yorkshire Tea’s “one million trees” pledge which will see a million trees planted over the next five years.

Half of the one million trees will be planted in the UK and half in Kenya – one of the countries where Yorkshire Tea is grown.

And the Gruffalo is an apt partner – as his deep dark woods are one of the most read about forests in children’s literature.

School spokeswoman Liz Lancaster said: “The children were very excited and couldn’t believe they were planting trees with the Gruffalo.

“It’s not everyday that you can say you’re trying to make the world a better place with the help of a storybook character.”