AN environmental group has recognised its top green team's work in helping to secure woodland for future generations to enjoy.

Hookstone Wood and Crimple Wood Preservation Group, in Harrogate, recently secured protective town green status for Hookstone Wood through North Yorkshire County Council.

As a thank-you to its chairman Ian Croft and project co-ordinator Sue Vasey, the group made special presentation gifts to the pair for their "sterling efforts." The presentations were made at the group's pre-Christmas social gathering by treasurer Lynn Smith, who said the group owed a debt of gratitude to the pair for their hard work and dedication.

Mr Croft said in its five years of existence the group had achieved a lot. But he warned there could always be new battles and challenges ahead. The group secured town green status after taking its case to a county council area committee meeting in Ripon earlier this year.

They were also among the leading objectors to a plan to operate buses through Hookstone Wood as part of the wider Wetherby Road park and ride scheme based at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

The group formed in 1996 following an application by St John Fisher RC High School to fill in a quarry in Hookstone Wood which contained 40 mature trees. The school later withdrew its application.