A new native woodland is set to be created in Essex, after the Woodland Trust announced that it has acquired 42 hectares (104 acres) of land at Elmstead Market, near Colchester.

The first 32,000 trees at Elmstead are now set to be planted, which will contribute to Essex County Council's (ECC) 'Essex Works' pledge to plant 250,000 trees across the county by the end of March. However, the Woodland Trust has said that it still requires a further £300,000 to pay for the creation of the broad-leaved woodland. A local appeal has already received £30,000, while support has also been received from Essex Environment Trust, Biffaward and ECC.

Woodland Trust regional development officer, John Brown, said: "We plan to plant native trees such as oak, ash, birch and hawthorn. Within 12 years, people will be able to walk through a flourishing new forest, but we have to ask for an extra fundraising effort to make this a reality." Image: WTPL/Daniel Billingham