NEW trees planted at Birchwood Community High School are helping to create a lasting home for nearby wildlife.

Staff and students at the eco-conscious school were devastated when dense trees and bushes along its perimeter had to be removed due to safety concerns.

Hearing the news, Birchwood resident and keen ecologist, Rawdon Jones, came to the rescue.

As a Woodland Trust volunteer and director of Fairy Forest School, he arranged a donation of trees from the Woodland Trust to create a new habitat for wildlife.

Peter Bolton, site manager, said: "It was sad when I realised that to safeguard our site trees must be removed.

"But obviously as a school the safety of our learners comes first, so when Rawdon contacted me with the offer of new trees it was fantastic.

"Our eco committee worked hard with the planting and were proud to be creating a future haven for wildlife on our grounds.

"We can’t thank Rawdon enough and we look forward to him becoming a real friend to our school."

Neil Oxley, site manager for the woods neighbouring Birchwood High, donated trees via the Trees for Schools initiative.

Pupils from the school eco committee braved the cold to help plant them.