TREE planters got stuck in with their spades on Saturday to get the new Heartwood Forest underway. The first-ever tree planting at the forest in Sandridge was carried out by the first, one millionth and two millionth children to plant a tree with the Wood

TREE planters got stuck in with their spades on Saturday to get the new Heartwood Forest underway.

The first-ever tree planting at the forest in Sandridge was carried out by the first, one millionth and two millionth children to plant a tree with the Woodland Trust which is developing the forest.

The first child was the son of a Woodland Trust worker with the one millionth travelling from Tyne and Wear for the ceremony.

But the two millionth was Daniel Shadbolt, aged 10, from Sandridge who said: "It was such a surprise when my name came out of the hat to be the two millionth child to plant a tree.

"It was quite a buzz of excitement. I love tree planting and nature and also going for walks."

The tree planting took place under the watchful eye of Woodland Trust chief executive Sue Holden who said: "Heartwood will become the largest native woodland in England and will bring significant benefit for people and wildlife. The new wood will also help to buffer and protect the small irreplaceable pockets of ancient woodland on the site. We hope this first planting is the start of a great journey to plant 650,000 trees.