Downs National Park goes from strength to strength

The rest of Friday's news:

Downs National Park goes from strength to strength - South Downs National Park

More than 8,000 trees are being planted across the South Downs this winter after the Trees for the Downs campaign smashed its fundraising target.

And now, thanks to a grant of £75,000 from South East Water, Trees for the Downs will be able to continue for the next five years with the aim of planting tens of thousands more trees.

The inspiring campaign launched during National Tree Week last November and has so far raised over £65,000 from generous donations from the public and donors. The initiative was launched by the South Downs National Park Trust to restore trees that have been lost over the past few decades, including those to Ash Dieback and Dutch Elm Disease.

Trees for the Downs was only set to run for one year, but the additional funding and support of South East Water, on top of the £65,000, means the campaign can continue for the next five years.

Significant tree planting will now take place over subsequent winters at sites across the region, bringing new habitat for wildlife, helping to restore soils and giving amenity value to local communities.