'Fantastic' effort as 1,800 trees planted in St Annes dunes in four days

Around 2,500 discarded festive trees were collected and deposited to be planted in the sands at St Annes – the biggest number since the drive to take the trees back to nature and protect the dunes was launched nine years ago.

In each year previously, an increasing number of eager volunteers have joined council staff for the big planting - but this year, only a small number of socially distanced staff and no volunteers are allowed because of the pandemic restrictions.

But with favourable weather conditions, 1,800 of the trees were planted inside four days – to the delight of the council’s senior coast and countryside officer Geoff Willetts.

“We really cracked on with it, with around 400 trees planted on each of the first three days and 600 or so on the fourth, and the remainder will be put in over the coming few weeks grabbing a few hours when we can.

“Staff have been fantastic with one driving the digger plus a banksman and the other four on loading, unloading and planting.

“On the fourth day, we had an extra five staff commandeered from the parks teams who were great and gave us the chance to plant the larger number.

“All in all, it was a great few days, although our regular volunteers and Lancashire Wildlife Trust staff were sorely missed.

“My thanks to the Fylde Council team for their wonderful efforts.”

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