AN avenue of 18 Cherry trees is to be planted in Wick Country Park, in a partnership between Basildon Council and the Wickford Wombles litter picking group.

The total cost of the supply and delivery of the trees amounts to £2,400, of which the council will provide £2,050 from the Pollinator budget and the Wickford Wombles will contribute the remaining £350. The planting of the trees will be completed by the Wombles themselves.

Chairman of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee, Cllr David Harrison, said: "This is a great example of the positive relationships that can be formed between the council and groups in the community."

"The Wickford Wombles are a community group who do brilliant work in Wickford, so it's great that we're able to partner with them to plant these trees, and I thank them for their contribution.

"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 and will improve the bio-diversity of the area. We hope to plant the trees before the end of February."

Since launching in 2018 the Wickford Wombles have grown from a handful of women to more than 500 members and they play a leading role in the local community.