VOLUNTEERS from two charities have worked together to improve a community woodland in York.

Young people from SASH joined volunteers and trustees from St Nicks Local Nature Reserve in Tang Hall for the event, and also welcomed Lord Mayor Councillor Barbara Boyce, who brought her dog Maisie to help.

SASH is a based charity which prevents youth homelessness, and helps more than 300 young people aged 16 to 25 around York and North Yorkshire.

Beth, 19, one of the young people supported by SASH, said: "I planted my first ever tree, along with my second, third and fourth! It was good fun. I only live round the corner and didn’t know St Nicks existed. I’ll definitely be back."

Maria Gill, volunteer coordinator at St Nicks, said: "It was great to work with volunteers from SASH. Everyone was enthusiastic and got stuck in to rescuing a struggling hedgerow, removing the encroaching nettles and dock, planting additional blackthorn and ash trees and pruning back neighbouring conifers."

"By planting new hedgerows we are providing not only habitat for wildlife such as low nesting birds and small mammals but we are creating green corridors – connecting natural areas and wildlife populations. Through planting a variety of tree species and wildflowers around them, we are continuing to increasing the biodiversity and enrich the habitats at St Nicks."