New woodland will help research and the community

The planting of 60,000 saplings will create a community space as well as support research into the benefits of trees on the environment, a leading university has said.

The new 60 hectare (148-acre) woodland on land at Silsoe in Bedfordshire, is being created by Cranfield University and the Forest of Marston Vale Trust over the next two years.

It will be used as a teaching tool and resource for "ongoing research into the production and cultural benefits from trees, agroforestry, biodiversity, soil quality and carbon capture," the university said.

It hoped the forest - of oak, pine, hazel, alder and birch trees - would also contribute to the university's "net zero targets".

Darren Woodward, forest development manager at the Forest of Marston Vale Trust, said: "This project is a great example of how our Trees for Climate programme can make planting trees and creating new woodland a straightforward process for landowners."

The charity has organised volunteers for the planting, which is part of the government-led Nature for Climate Fund.

Gareth Ellis, head of energy and environment at the university, said it would contribute to its "ambitious net zero targets whilst providing a useful research resource for our students and academics".

He added: "It's a fantastic opportunity to build an asset that not only benefits the local community, but enables our world-leading experts to continue their vital research into environmental sustainability."

The area will "help to capture carbon from the atmosphere whilst providing an accessible green space for the local community through a series of existing footpaths and access rides", the university added.

A public planting day is taking place from 11:00 to 15:00 GMT on 9 February.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.