AROUND one hundred new trees have taken root at a community farm.

Volunteers helped plant the saplings at Longmead Community Farm near Milborne St Andrew as part of a national project to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The farm, which supports children and families in crisis, was given the trees by the Woodland Trust as part of its Jubilee Woods Project that aims to plant six million trees by the end of 2012.

Members of the public were encouraged to come and join in as the team from Longmead Community Farm for a day of tree planting.

Longmead project leader Steven Beech said: “We were fortunate to have a lovely sunny day to get the work done and it wasn’t too cold.

“We started at about 11am and went through till 3.30pm and planted nearly 100 saplings during that period with a group of about 15 people who volunteered to help us.”

Mr Beech said the planting focused on the hedgerows surrounding the farm.

He said: “We wanted to restore the hedges around the fields as they are a good place for birdlife and nesting but we have got significant gaps, I think as a result of farming practices over the years.

“We have now pretty much plugged all the gaps around the perimeter of Longmead Community Farm so I think in four or five years it will have grown into more of a hedge.

“We are very keen on supporting wildlife and we know hedgerows are really vitally important so we are pleased and will be looking to do more along those lines.”

There is still a chance to apply for tree planting projects as part of the ongoing Jubilee Woods Project, with more information available at <&bh"http://www.jubileewoods.org.uk/treepacks">www.jubileewoods.org.uk/treepack<&eh>s Mr Beech said he would thoroughly recommend the scheme to others.

He said: “It’s just such a great thing to do, it provides help for wildlife and it improves the general woodland and hedge areas and it just makes for an enjoyable day.

“It was hard work but everyone got stuck in.”