VOLUNTEER power is helping to plant native hedges, trees and wildlflowers to 'green up' Cumbrian riverbanks.

This winter, Eden Rivers Trust (ERT) is aiming to plant more than 11,800 hedge plants and trees at their recently completed sites at Trout Beck, Cairn Beck, the River Leith and on the Pennine fells.

Volunteers have already kicked off this year's tree planting season in the Trout Beck catchment, near Appleby. Thanks to funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, forestry students from Newton Rigg College and volunteers planted 400 trees as part of a project to improve habitat along Keld Syke that runs through Town Head Farm.

ERT's natural flood management Project Manager, Jenny Garbe said:“Trees and hedges do so much for our rivers, they help reduce nutrients and surface water reaching the river. They also store carbon, which will help reduce the effects of climate change. They provide much needed habitat for insects, birds and small animals and a shelter for livestock.”

Jenni Payne, Volunteer Coordinator said: All our volunteer events are Covid-safe and we particularly welcome household bubbles of all ages to come along and get digging for Eden!”