A 100-acre woodland at Hanningfield Reservoir has been enhanced by the planting of several hundred trees.

The native species - including hawthorn, field maple, cherry, ash and oak - have come from Essex and Suffolk Water's works at Langford, near Maldon.

They had to be moved to accommodate a new plant on the site and it was decided to give them a new home in the wood.

Directors and staff from Essex and Suffolk Water joined forces with volunteers from the Essex Wildlife Trust to replant the trees - between four and 16-ft high.

The trees have been planted in Chestnut Wood, next to the new Essex Wildlife Trust Visitors Centre which opened to the public in November.

The site is owned by Essex and Suffolk Water and has been leased since December 1992 to the Essex Wildlife Trust.

Miranda Ingram said, "Essex and Suffolk Water takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and working with partners such as Essex Wildlife Trust ensures that we make a positive contribution to the local environment."

Root cause: Claire Cadman, right, warden of Essex Wildlife Trust Hanningfield Reservoir nature reserve and Miranda Ingram, environmental coordinator for Essex and Suffolk Water dig in.

By Anne Fitzgerald

Reporter's e-mail: anne.fitzgerald@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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