THE public is invited to join a tree-planting event in the grounds of secondary school later this week.

Pupils from all five year groups will be planting saplings in land surrounding Easington Community School, in Stockton Road, Easington Village, County Durham.

It is part of a national planting drive by the Woodland Trust, which hopes residents from surrounding communities will volunteer to take part.

From 9am to 3pm on Friday, a boy and girl from years seven to 11, will plant a total of ten trees.

Parents and younger children are invited to join in, as well as responsible dog owners.

Parking and toilets will be available during school hours, with no barriers to the disabled, although everyone taking part is advised to wear suitable footwear.

It is one of 85 tree planting events being staged across the country by the trust, which has overseen the planting of 4.5m trees and created about 8,000 acres of new native woodland.

Further information on Friday's event is available from Jon Gregory, of the trust, on 0191-5270757, or from Lynda Brown, at the school, on 0191-527 0757.