SCHOOLCHILDREN in Walton have planted a woodland of trees in a project to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

The Woodland Trust has been handing out thousands of saplings to schools and community groups across Essex, including Hamford Primary Academy in Walton.

Pupils have been planting the trees within the school grounds.

Saplings for the centenary planting project were provided by the Woodland Trust through its Free Trees scheme in a bid to commemorate those lost in the war.

Hamford principal Benedick Ashmore-Short said: “We have taken a large number of trees through the trust and have been planting as many as we can around the school.

“It is something important and poignant for us to be involved in. We are hoping to create a nature walk at the school by planting the trees and other flowers. We also like to get our early years children to plant their own trees, so they can see them grow and develop in their years at the school.”