COMMUNITY groups and volunteers are being sought to help improve Okehampton's natural environment as part of a national tree planting campaign.

The town council has agreed to take part in 'The Big Tree Plant', a national campaign to increase the number of trees being planted in England's towns, cities and neighbourhoods and encourage citizens to protect and enhance green spaces in their local area.

The Big Tree Plant will focus on encouraging community groups and organisations to establish or expand projects to plant and care for trees.

The project will also encourage individuals to take part, perhaps through volunteering at local tree planting events.

Trees can have many benefits for towns, including making streets more attractive, creating shade and shelter, attracting wildlife, shielding houses from traffic noise, and helping fight the effects of air pollution.

Funding will be provided by the Forestry Commission and will be given to community groups which work to undertake action to improve the local environment, to help them purchase trees and planting materials, and to ensure the trees are cared for in the future.

Funding is not available to individuals or local authorities, but at a meeting of the town council last week councillors agreed to look into forming a community partnership with other interested groups in and around Okehampton.

Cllr Kevin Ball said: 'It would be really good to get the community involved in this project somehow.

'It might be a good idea to talk to the primary school, as this is the sort of project I think they would be very interested in. We can then talk to other local groups and organisations, and of course appeal to them to come forward.

'I think this is something people would really take to.'

The town council will be contacting local groups and community organisations, but anybody interested in being involved in the scheme is encouraged to contact the council.