UP TO 150 trees are set to be planted in a Somerset village during National Tree Week (November 28 until December 6).

Tree whips donated by Mendip District Council (MDC) will be planted at Binegar Bottom, a village between Shepton Mallet and Chilcompton.

Oak, Sycamore, Beech, Hazel and Goat Willow varieties will be used, to fit in well with the existing trees and to fill the open space.

Jon Abbott, acting chair of Binegar Parish Council, said the scheme will support Binegar Bottom’s flood prevention scheme and help to replace trees they are losing.

“It’s great to be working with Mendip District Council on this tree planting project,” he said.

“From our perspective it ticks many boxes. It contributes to our ‘Climate and Ecological Emergency Pledge; it helps replace the increasing numbers of ash trees we are losing to die-back; and, it will, as they mature, contribute to flood prevention further down in Gurney Slade.”

In February 2019 a Climate and Ecological Emergency was declared at Mendip.

Councillors made a commitment to take care of the environment, leaving it in a good condition for generations to come, and pledged to lead the way for Mendip to be carbon neutral by 2030.

MDC’s portfolio holder for neighbourhood services, Cllr Josh Burr, added: “We need to tackle climate change together. It can’t be achieved in isolation.

“This is a perfect example of how working together with the parishes we can deliver for our communities.

“We are exploring locations across the district to see if they are suitable for similar initiatives, guided by specialist staff at Mendip, and would welcome other parishes to come forward and talk to us about tree provision.”