3,500 trees are currently being planted in Wickford Memorial Park as part of the 26-acre extension to the park.

The trees are part of a new woodland area of almost three hectares along the land between Memorial Park and Giddings Copse, after Beauchamps School no longer required the use of the site and so surrendered their lease on the land.

The planting of the trees is being completed by the council's Parks and Countryside Team, alongside The Woodland Trust and volunteers from the Friends of Memorial Park.

Chairman of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee, Cllr David Harrison, said: "This extension is going to provide an extra 26-acres of parkland for our residents to enjoy. And these trees being planted is fantastic news for the attractiveness, but also for the biodiversity of the park.

"The extension will also include lots of other exciting elements, including the creation of a number of wetland ponds, planting of a mixture of woodland and wildflower meadows and the planting of a community orchard.

"Thank you to all the team out there planting in this damp weather, including the volunteers of the Friends of Memorial Park who do such brilliant work to keep the park looking beautiful."

Chair of the Friends of Memorial Park, Kim Oakes, added: "This 26-acre extension is going to mean so many fantastic additions to what is already a lovely park. As group we're excited about being involved in the planting of these trees, and we look forward to doing our bit to keep it looking pretty in the future."

The site will be managed and maintained by the council's Parks and Countryside service and will provide important opportunities for the voluntary sector and the local community to work with and support the council to improve the natural environment.