One of Oxfordshire’s largest community tree planting projects is entering its final phase.

More than 350 residents are volunteering to plant approximately 10,000 native trees at the Blue Cross animal rehoming centre in Burford.

The initiative, in collaboration with the International Tree Foundation, improves the environment and supports animal welfare.

The project has increased tree cover in one of the UK's most tree-scarce counties.

All of the hedging and tree varieties planted are suitable for the site's horses.

Vicki Alford, horse centre manager at Blue Cross in Burford, said: "We are very grateful to the International Tree Foundation for their contribution.

"As well as shelter and shade, the hedges and trees encourage natural behaviours and enrichment for our horses, such as scratching on trunks and weaving around the trees.

"The new planting also provides more interesting green spaces for our team to walk dogs who are looking for new homes at our centre, as well as improving the environment here at Burford."

Volunteers who took part in the project reported mental and physical health benefits due to being outdoors and having a positive impact on the environment.

Lucy Staveley, the International Tree Foundation’s UK programme development lead, said: "We’ve had so many fantastic days planting and looking after the trees – Blue Cross have given us the opportunity to bring a huge number of people together and make a really positive contribution to nature recovery in the Burford area."