STAFF and residents at a retirement village have planted young saplings which they hope will form a woodland walk in years to come.

Hundreds of trees have been planted at Middleton Hall, near Middleton St George, with 750 of the seeds sown by its own managing director.

Jeremy Walford hoped that in 30 years time, he hoped those who helped will be able to look back and think "we created this".

Mr Walford presented his staff with a tree as a gift, and has put trees up for sponsorship to residents, families or friends.

The woodland will consist of birch, ash, oak, Scots pine, rowan, alder, beech and cherry trees. It will form a circular nature walk linked to Middleton Halls 20 acres of land.

The path for the village's 120 residents will link existing copses and fields to the future woodland.

Mr Walford said: "In 30 years time, this will be a well-managed, mature woodland area and I love the idea of knowing that what we have done will be around to be enjoyed by future generations as well as the current residents of Middleton Hall.

"It fits in really nicely with our aim to provide as many recreational opportunities as possible for our village community.

"By next summer, there should be something for everyone here to enjoy, whatever their fitness level."

The Forestry Commission enabled the project thanks to a woodland creation grant.

Rachel Sparks, the commission's North-East woodland officer, said: "New native woodland can enhance the habitat of many woodland bird and animal species throughout its progression through various stages from young trees to mature woodland.

"Middleton Hall's new woodland will also expand the existing mature native woodland on the property."