GREEN-fingered volunteers are celebrating after planting their 2,000th tree in an area of Bolton woodland.

Bolton Lever Rotary Club marked the milestone by planting the tree in the wood off Stapleton Avenue, next to Astley Bridge Junior Football Club.

The club began the project in 2015 and has since planted trees in several areas of the town including Captains Clough, Moss Bank Park and Doffcocker Lodge.

The club's membership secretary, Pat Rothwell, said: "Rotary tries to do projects for both the local and international communities.

"Since one of our members first found out that the Woodland Trust could provide little seeds to community groups, the tree-planting project in Bolton began.

"We are absolutely delighted to have reached 2,000 trees. It is for the entire Bolton community and it is important that people have green spaces that they can go to.

"Next year, it is the Queen's Jubilee, so we are hoping to plant even more trees for the occasion. The year after tat, it is the 100th anniversary of the first Rotary Club in Bolton, so we will be marking that as well."

Club president Aruna Mene said that Mayor Linda Thomas and her team had showed a keen interest in the project and felt that it would have a lasting legacy for the Bolton area.

“She told us that Bolton Council is also committed to planting many more trees across the borough.

“Woodland areas help to clean the air, prevent flooding and protect against climate change with the added benefit of providing spaces for people to enjoy, promoting both physical and mental wellbeing.

“The Woodland Trust supplies packs of native tree species such as hawthorn, blackthorn, crab apple, hazel, dog rose to community groups. Planting these increases the biodiversity by creating homes for many types of plant, insects, birds and other wildlife.”

The Rotarians worked closely with tree and asset officer for Bolton Council, Andy Grundy, who has allocated planting sites.

Aruna added: “Our members love making a practical difference in the community and are also keen to interest a new generation in protecting the environment.”