CHILDREN have been planting trees on a former timber yard to create a new woodland for future generations to enjoy.

The 17 acres of land off Chorley Park, in Cumnor Hill, was given to the community by timber merchant Timbmet when it sold the rest of the site to developer Persimmon Homes to build 192 homes.

Cumnor Hurst was formed as a registered charity in 2008 to create the woodland, which will take 15 years to complete.

So far more than 1,000 trees have been planted by volunteers and pupils from primary schools in Appleton, Cumnor, and Stanford in the Vale.

A group of 32 Year Three pupils from Cumnor Primary School planted the latest saplings on Wednesday.

More than 40 trees, including oak, ash, birch and gelder rose, were planted.

Parent Christopher Hurdman, 51, of Cumnor Hill, has been going to the site on Sundays to help plant the trees with his eight-year-old daughter Evie Hurdman.

He said: “The children love it, because they’re outdoors.

“But it’s also a very environmentally friendly project.”

The pupils were given a helping hand by Oxford United goalkeeper Ryan Clarke, who had saved a penalty to help his team beat Barnet the night before.

Peter Rhoades-Brown, the club’s community officer, said: “He saved the penalty on Tuesday night and he was saving the environment the next day.”

Mr Rhoades-Brown said it was a great project for the children, adding: “They knew what they were doing and why. It wasn’t just about planting the trees, it was about why they were planting the trees.”

Timbmet spokesman Ian Paul added: “We hope people can benefit from this for years to come.

“What we really do want is more people from the community to join in and be part of it.”

“We appreciate it’s difficult to reach the area at the moment but once it’s finished, it will be a great asset for the area.”