AN avenue of 18 Cherry trees has been planted in Wick Country Park as part of a partnership between Basildon Council and the Wickford Wombles litter picking group.

The planting of the trees was completed by the Wickford Wombles yesterday (Thursday, 4 March) alongside support from the council's Parks and Countryside team.

Chairman of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee Cllr David Harrison, said: "It was really great to be there and see some fantastic volunteers mucking in to help improve their area, and to see the positive relationships that can be formed between the council and groups in the community.

"There were people here from the Friends of Wickford Memorial Park and the Friends of Wick Country Park to help the Wickford Wombles – it shows not only the great community spirit we have here in Wickford, but also the great community groups we have.

"Once the trees blossom, the combination of an equal number of nine Prunis Avium Plena and Prunis Kanzan trees will prove a beautifully impactful addition along the entrance inside the park.

"The council is trying to improve the biodiversity across the whole borough. Here in Wickford, in addition to this initiative, we will soon create a woodland area of almost three hectares consisting of 3,500 trees of a variety of different species, within the 26-acre extension to Wickford Memorial Park."

Founder of the Wickford Wombles Tracy Menzies added: "Trees are important to all of us, and as a group we want to make our area better for everyone. We had a really successful day with lots of volunteers turning up to get stuck in and help plant. Thank you to the volunteers and the Parks and Countryside team for all their help on the day."

The total cost of the supply and delivery of the trees amounts to £2,400, of which the council contributed £2,050 from the Pollinator budget and the Wickford Wombles contributed the remaining £350.