TWELVE pupils from four Padiham schools joined Burnley FC mascot Bertie Bee to plant trees in the Memorial Park.

Children from St Leonard's Primary, Padiham Green, St John's Primary and Whitegates Nursery took part in the event, part of the Burnley Woodland Project and the first activity to kick off Padiham's millennium celebrations.

The celebrations, which will include exhibitions, fancy dress and a Bank Holiday gala day at the park, will take place between Wednesday, April 26 and Monday, May 1.

The youngsters were given a chance to dig out their shovels and help plant some mature trees which had been prepared by the Forest of Burnley.

Bertie Bee represented the football club, who will be providing training for children at the May Day celebrations, between 10am and noon, at the Gawthorpe training ground.

Bertie Bee is pictured planting a 'Pride of India' tree, helped by (from the left) Mark Campbell, Emma Whittaker, Aaron Nuttall, Sam Robson, Ursula Woods-Warburton and Kirsty Doogan.