A PROJECT to plant almost 7,000 trees in Darlington has been completed.

The Darlington Forest Project has been planting the trees all winter and completed the project with planting along Tornado Way, on the original track bed of the Darlington and Stockton Railway.

It is hoped they will have started to mature by 2025, to compliment improvements made for the bicentennial celebrations of the railway.

Trees have also been planted near Redhall School, in Haughton-le-Skerne and in Cemetery Lane.

More than 200 volunteers, community group members and school children assisted with the project at various times, though groups were limited in size because of Covid regulations.

Coordinator Roz Henderson said: "Covid didn’t help at all because we were only allowed fifteen people, so that really did restrict us."

The project was planned by Ms Henderson and project trustees Ann Hunter, Anna-Maria Toms, Kendra Ullyart and Matthew Snedker with the support of Darlington Borough Council and friends of The Darlington Stockton Railway.

Ms Hunter said: "They can only enhance the town really.

"It's been a wonderful project to get involved with the local community. I can't thank volunteers enough."

Darlington Forest Project, which has been running since 2019, wants to double the amount of tree coverage across the borough by 2030.

It is looking for future funding and projects.

Ms Hunter added: "We are doing our best to increase woodland coverage.

"But planting trees is like first aid to a traumatised planet. We are the first responders trying to stem the blood. Without a change to land use it's going to be counter productive. It's like trying to put a bandage on a gaping wound. We can only do our best and get as many trees out there as we can and hopefully support groups that are trying to provide green space from being paved over.

Councillor Andy Keir, from Darlington Borough Council, said: “It has been a fantastic experience working with the Darlington Forest Project this last tree planting season.

"Meeting initially with the organisers to understand their ambitions and plans and then working through the winter with the wider group and the marvellously enthusiastic volunteers to achieve those plans was a marvellous achievement by the group."

"Credit must go to Roz and her teams of volunteers along with the Council Ranger Team, Pippa and Warren for their invaluable support and advice. This shows exactly how working together in partnership great things can be achieved.

"I look forward to continuing the relationship and partnership with the Darlington Forest Project for the 2021-2022 planting season, the work for that starts now."