RESIDENTS turned out in force for a ceremonial tree-planting event in Nailsworth.

Organised by Nailsworth Climate Action Network (Nailsworth CAN), volunteers planted a 3m holm oak tree supplied by Nailsworth Town Council on the King George V Playing Fields.

It kick-started a parish-wide planting project as part of a wider strategic climate action plan.

The event was the first in a string of climate action initiatives planned by the group.

It was held in conjunction with the town council, with Mayor Jonathan Duckworth lending a hand to plant the tree.

Volunteers baked biscuits and cakes and handed out stickers, as well as more than 100 free trees to plant in their gardens.

Tree varieties included the fast-growing birch - which captures tyre and brake dust and heavy metals in its leaves.

Rachael Austin, landscape architect and director at Austin Design Works, which sponsored the planting, said the event - the first in a series of tree-planting days - was a huge success.

“So many people came and we had so many positive comments from the public,” she said.

“It was such a fantastic event.

“What we took from it is that people genuinely care. They want to see more events like this happening in the parish, to help raise awareness and tackle the climate emergency.”

She hopes Nailsworth CAN will become a hub for groups to share information and take positive action to fight climate change in the town and beyond, and is encouraging people to get in touch with their own ideas for the future of the town.

To find out more about Nailsworth CAN, visit ncat.btck.co.uk

The group’s next monthly meeting takes place at 8pm on January 14 in the Mortimer Room in Nailsworth.