THE holes for the first Northern Forest trees have been dug in Smithills Estate.

The Woodland Trust recently announced that 50million trees s would be planted over 120-mile stretch of northern England along the M62 corridor.

And Bolton News Camera Club member Henry Lisowski took this picture of Smithills Estate close to Coal Pit Road, showing hundreds of holes on the land where the first trees will be planted.

Mr Lisowski said: "I do see the Woodland Trust rangers in the area frequently and when I last spoke to them in Coal Pit Road they told me that the first of the trees were going to be planted in that area.

"A couple of weeks later a mini digger was there digging."

The project has been to boost habitat for wildlife including birds and bats, protect species such as the red squirrel and provide more access to woodlands for millions of people living in the area.

The Woodland Trust, in partnership with the Community Forest Trust and the five Community Forests, aims to plant woodland totalling 25,000 hectares in the project which is forecast to cost £500million over 25 years.

It could generate an estimated £2 billion for the Northern economy in growth in tourism and visits to the area, boosting rural businesses and generating jobs, increasing property values, and reducing the economic impacts of flooding, the scheme's backers say.

The Northern Forest is set to form part of the Government's long-awaited 25-year environment plan and £5.7 million of public money is being committed to launch the scheme.

Austin Brady, director of conservation at the Woodland Trust, said: "The Northern Forest will accelerate the creation of new woodland and support sustainable management of existing woods right across the area.

"Planting many more trees, woods and forests will deliver a better environment for all - locking up carbon on a large scale, boosting wildlife habitat and greening our towns and cities.

"The Woodland Trust and Community Forests will use new and innovative mechanisms to engage communities and a wide range of partners in delivering the forest."

A family open day is due to be held in Smithills to begin the tree planting, due to begin in March.

People can join the Camera Club at facebook.com/BNCameraClub or email submissions to pictures@theboltonnews.co.uk