A new community woodland made up of more than 4,000 trees will also provide a Bradford primary school with an outdoor classroom.

Thousands of trees have been planted on land near Newhall Park Primary School in Bierley, making it the first new community woodland to be planted in the district for several years.

A partnership between the school and Bradford Council, the trees have been planted by the Council’s leisure services section and funded by the Forestry Commission.

To make the woodland accessible to all members of the community, it will be disabled friendly.

Oak, birch, alder, hazel and willow trees have been planted in and around the school grounds and are particularly relevant as the school’s “houses” are named after different species of tree.

Councillor John Ruding (Lab, Tong), a governor at the primary school, said: “This is Bradford’s first new community woodland to be established for a long time and it’s great to see this in Bierley. It will reduce CO2, increase biodiversity and enhance the area. I’m particularly pleased that the community will be able to enjoy the new woodland and that disabled access has been provided.”

Co-head teacher at Newhall Park Primary, Nicola Gatenby, said: “Everyone at Newhall Park is really looking forward to the new woodland area. We’re particularly pleased that the trees being planted include those on our badge and our school houses.”

The school already has a permaculture garden, including chickens and vegetables.

Fellow co-head teacher Helen Scarf said: “The children have helped plant some of the trees. This will give the children a better chance to work outside and will be a really nice story telling area. We hope it will encourage more children to get out and experience nature.”

Five per cent of the district is covered by woodland, but nationwide that figure is ten per cent. Bradford Council hopes the new woods will help making up this shortfall.