BRADFORD schoolchildren have joined the city's Lord Mayor to help plant 500 trees on the site of a memorial wood to fallen local soldiers of the First World War.

Pupils from Low Ash and High Crags primary schools clambered in Winter sunshine up above Wrose to begin work at what will become Dennison Wood.

It is named in honour of the first soldier from the area to die in the Great War, Private Arthur Dennison, who left his wife and three children to serve his country in 1914.

No memorial exists in Wrose so local people agreed after a recent campaign and public consultation led by ward councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, to name the wood after him.

The project will focus memories on those who gave their lives and create a new natural beauty spot for future generations to enjoy.

And the massive project to plant 7,000 trees in the area is supported by toilet-tissue brand Velvet, UK charity Trees for Cities, local charity Bradford Environmental Action Trust, Bradford Council and and supermarket giant Morrisons.

Morrisons “Let's Grow” Ambassador, Trees for Cities patron and TV gardener Chris Collins was on hand to offer help and advice - and staff from Velvet and Morrisons also rolled up their sleeves to take part.

To leave a lasting legacy, an interpretation board will be placed on the site with an account of Pte Dennison’s brave service to his country and explaining the importance of creating living green spaces in urban areas like Shipley.

In a fun-packed planting day, youngsters also learned about the importance of trees to Britain’s wildlife through a minibeast talk and bird of prey display.

"It's been an absolutely fantastic day and massive thanks to Velvet who support Trees for Cities and have helped us get this project moving forward," Cllr Ross-Shaw said.

"We now have 7,000 trees thanks to them and this project has got schools and the whole community involved.

"And everyone has enjoyed a really great day getting things started," Cllr Ross-Shaw said.

Charlotte Parrish, brand manager for Velvet, which is owned by hygiene and forest products company SCA, said: "We’re delighted to create a vibrant green space for local people to enjoy. SCA are committed to enhancing urban areas along with our partner, Trees for Cities.

"Our Velvet tissue products provide luxury for our customers and trees for the planet. To date we have planted six million extra trees around the world.

Guy Mason, head of corporate affairs for Morrisons, said: “Morrisons is proud to support Velvet Tissues in their community tree planting event. It supports our longstanding Let’s Grow programme and helps with their fantastic work in developing green spaces to benefit the residents of Shipley.”