A PROJECT to save one of Ryedale's rarest trees has moved to the next stage.

The only known and authenticated specimen of the native black poplar in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is at Stonegrave.

The tree blew down ten years ago, but conservationists have been tending the re-growing suckers since.

In March, the Thirsk Community Woodland Group took cuttings to grow in its nursery.

Five new trees are now available for planting in the AONB.

Farmers interested in planting the trees should call 01653-627164. They should have some low-lying ground, ideally silt over gravel.

It is estimated that only about 7,000 survive black poplars survive in Britain.