BOLTON schoolchildren are taking a stake in their area's future by helping create a new wood.

On Friday up to 100 Bolton schoolchildren will start planting trees to create a 17 acre Millennium wood off Darwen Road at Dunscar.

Thousands of trees are due to be planted on the site, which was acquired by the Woodland Trust last year.

Nearby residents have helped raise money for the scheme and contributed to its design and extra funding came from the Millennium Commission, the Forestry Commission and the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts.

The Red Rose Forest has also donated cash to buy 75 oak trees.

The new wood is one of 200 new community woods created through the Woodland Trust's "Woods on Your Doorstep" scheme.

Other people have a chance to make their mark on the scheme on Saturday when they are invited to plant some more trees.

"It is a great way of celebrating the Millennium - helping to make a lasting mark on the landscape by planting trees," said project co-ordinator Paul Bunton.

"No experience is necessary. People simply need to turn up any time from 10.30am armed with a spade, wellies and warm clothing."

People who want to dedicate a tree to a special person are able to buy a presentation certificate, the sales of which will go towards caring for the woodland site in the future.

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