VOLUNTEERS hoping to create a wildlife haven along the canal have planted the first of 2,000 trees planned for the area.

As part of the canal restoration project an old landfill site near Capel’s Mill is being turned into a biodiverse community resource that the community can access and enjoy.

Stroud Valleys Project, Stroud District Council and Cotswold Canals Trust have been working together to clear the site making it ready for community volunteers to start planting the trees.

The clearing phase of the project, which is funded by waste management company Grundon's, Gloucestershire Environmental Trust, The Big Tree Plant and SDC, was completed last year before the site was sprayed with grass and wildflowers seeds.

Last week volunteers planted the first trees on the site with the hope to plant 2,000 in total between now and the autumn.

A spokesman for Stroud Valleys Project said: “In addition to the tree and bulb planting, habitats for badgers bats and birds will also be created around the area.

“The finishing touches will include three picnic tables and interpretation boards explaining the kind of flowers and wildlife found there and the history of the area.”