WET weather failed to deter Bolton's enthusiastic tree planters, who turned up in their droves to have a say in the town's green future.

A team from Red Rose Forest threw open the doors of Emmanual Church Centre, Deane, to find out what Bolton people thought about their Millennium wood.

A special collage is being compiled by the team based on ideas put forward by pupils from two local schools and residents living close to the planned forest at Haslam Park.

Tammy Smith, from the Red Rose Forest, was delighted with the response.

She said: "We have had many ideas, including a place were people can sit quietly and watch the birds.

"The schoolchildren have also popped in to see us with suggestions for trees and what they want to see in the wood, such as butterflies."

The Millennium Woodlands Project is an extension of the national "Trees of Time and Place" initiative.

It is aimed at encouraging local poeple to grow their own trees from seed.

Bolton people are allowed to name trees after themselves, which will be logged in a commemorative edition held at Bolton Museum.

The wood will be planted in March and green-fingered gardeners will be continuing their work for the next few years.

Ideas from the community art and design design day will now be pencilled in for use in the real life wood, which has been jointly funded by Bolton Council.