CHILDREN have been planting trees as part of an initiative to conserve forests across the Commonwealth.

The saplings were planted at Esh Winning Primary School through the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project, which involves a network of forest conservation projects in the UK and further afield.

MP Roberta Blackman-Woods said: “I was delighted to join staff and children from Esh Winning Primary School to plant these saplings, and I am really pleased to support the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project.

“Trees are not only important for the environment, but they also play an essential part of the landscape here in Durham, and our cultural identity in the region.

“It was great to see how enthusiastic the children were about having these trees in the school grounds, and how they tied this into the work they are already doing in the school garden.

“My thanks go to Esh Winning Primary School for taking part in the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project, and I really hope the children and families in Esh Winning will enjoy watching these trees flourish and grow as part of this important initiative.”

The project is run in partnership with the Woodland Trust and Sainsbury’s and has raised more than £7m for the planting of more than three million trees in the UK, while planting has also taken place across 35 Commonwealth countries.