A new woodland is to be created close to what was once an area of industrial dereliction.

 

Future generations will be able to enjoy the woodland of oak trees close to the site of the former Barnsley Main colliery thanks to a tree-planting project.

 

Up to 10,000 native oaks will be planted close to Oaks Lane by volunteers from a range of organisations.

 

The tree-planting scheme will create 25 acres of woodland as part of the Dearne Valley Green Heart Nature Improvement Area project.

 

A spokesman said: "The saplings will benefit the natural environment immediately and greater biodiversity benefit will occur as they mature.

 

"In 100 years the tree bark will be coarse and will support a higher number of species, including insects, birds, bats and fungi.

 

"As well as benefiting wildlife, the new woodland will help to combat damage done by carbon emissions and reduce the risk and severity of localised flooding."

 

Volunteers will be planting trees all this month. The groups taking part include the Conservation Volunteers (All Ages Project), Voluntary Action Barnsley, Barnsley College and South Yorkshire Forest.