HYNDBURN children born in 2000 are to be given their very own commemorative woodland.

Local residents are being invited to plant a tree or two on Saturday to help create the Hyndburn Millennium Baby Woodland.

The project is the idea of the Prospects Foundation, which has been working with the St Mary's RIP Group and the Oswaldtwistle Prospects panel.

A spokesperson for the foundation, which is a community action group which aims to improve environmental, social and economic conditions in Hyndburn, said: "The planting had to be put on hold last year due to foot and mouth restrictions, but now we have the go-ahead and a fence is being constructed to stop animals in neighbouring fields from eating the young trees.

"We intend to finish the planting by the end of February, with a picnic area and information board to be put in place later in the year.

"The site will be open to the public, so people will be able to visit as often as they like."

The project has been made possible by sponsorship from the Cheshire Building Society, Lancashire County Council, the Forestry Commission, East Lancashire Woodlands, the New Opportunities Fund and the Lancashire Environmental Fund.

The tree planting will take place from noon to 3pm at the special site in Burnley Road, between Clayton and Altham, which will be signposted from the Hare and Hounds traffic lights, with the 152 bus passing by regularly. Any children wishing to help with the planting must be accompanied by an adult.