An ambitious target to plant a tree for every person in Frome got off to great start today (February 18) with a community planting of over 500 saplings in a break in the rain.

The initiative was well supported, with lots of families taking advantage of a break in the weather to put their wellington boots on and go and help out.

Environment Manager at Frome Town Council Chris Stringer said : "It is amazing, so many people came out. We are hoping to plant thousands of trees in Frome in the next few years for all the reasons that planting trees is good. It's a very ambitious project, one we are very excited about.

" We would like everybody in the town to plant a tree or help us plant a tree. Twenty seven thousand is the aim."

The tree planting, supported by the Woodland Trust involves putting in saplings of smaller and larger species, a complete native mix: hawthorn, wild cherry, crab apples, oaks, maples and beech. As Chris said: " It is a really nice mix that is going to grow into a native woodland."

The project, Wild About Trees, will be making the most of the current ideal planting season, after that Frome Town Council will be planning on other digs some in the local parks and gardens.

Chris said: "Half term is a great time to do this sort of thing because so many people can come out."