MORE than 100 acres of new broadleaf tree cover is to take root in the region in a bid to knit together precious fragments of native woodland.

The Forestry Commission has announced the winning schemes in the first round of its Jigsaw challenge fund, with six projects in the North Pennine area of outstanding natural beauty to benefit from a £150,000 investment.

This year's winning schemes are 37 acres on the Helbeck estate, and 29 acres at Tutt Wood, both near Brough; seven acres at Stackholme Wood, near Middleton in Teesdale; 15 acres on the Scargill and Barningham estate, Teesdale; 15 acres on the Raby estate near Middleton in Teesdale; and six acres at Dale House Farm, Allendale.

Planting is due to take place this winter, using native trees such as sessile oak, ash and rowan grown from local seed in nurseries.

Traditional semi-natural tree cover amounts to less than 1pc of the North Pennine AONB.

Now the search is on for more high quality planting schemes, with landowners throughout the AONB urged to apply for the next round of grants.

The Jigsaw scheme aims to encourage landowners to plant links between the surviving fragments. Not only will this ensure their long-term survival, but will also help endangered species by extending habitats.

Black grouse is likely to be just one of the local beneficiaries.

Woodland owners and managers interested in applying for grants under round two of Jigsaw should register their interest with the Forestry Commission's North-East England conservancy office by November 30.

The closing date for firm bids will be February 28 and the selection panel will judge them in April 2002.

Successful applicants will be expected to carry out the work and claim their grant by March 14, 2003.

The Forestry Commission has also announced that its new native woodland challenge fund, which seeks to create woods in national parks, is being extended for another two years.