A CLOTHING brand has donated funds to help the National Trust repair the damage to landmark sites caused by Storm Arwen.

Barbour has partnered with the National Trust to assist with the clean-up and restoration work at sites including Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, Housesteads Fort and Hadrian's Wall.

The brand will help the National Trust achieve their aim of planting 20 million native trees across England, Wales and Northern Ireland by 2030.

The aim is to attract more wildlife by creating new homes for nature, protect landscapes prone to flooding and fight the climate crisis.

Hexham Courant: DAMAGE: Crag Lough, which had been damaged after Storm Arwen. ©National Trust Images: Sarah BennettDAMAGE: Crag Lough, which had been damaged after Storm Arwen. ©National Trust Images: Sarah Bennett

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To launch the partnership, Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour replanted the National Trust's Jubilee oak tree in the Formal Garden at Cragside to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

This winter's extreme weather caused a level of destruction at some National Trust places not witnessed by National Trust staff in decades, including the loss of thousands of unique trees and early specimens, some over 250 years old.

Dame Margaret Barbour, Chairman of Barbour, said: "As a North East brand, we are very proud of our roots and the history and heritage that our region has to offer."

Hexham Courant: CLEAR: Crag Lough after the site was cleared of fallen trees. ©National Trust Image: Sarah BennettCLEAR: Crag Lough after the site was cleared of fallen trees. ©National Trust Image: Sarah Bennett

She added: "Barbour has always been synonymous with the British countryside and our partnership with the National Trust enables us to support their inspiring work and help preserve the countryside for future generations."

Mike Innerdale, Regional Director for the North of England at the National Trust said: "Storm Arwen changed some National Trust landscapes in Northumberland forever.

Hexham Courant: STORM: Damaged caused by Storm Arwen in Kingswood at Allen Banks. ©National Trust Image: Sarah Bennett STORM: Damaged caused by Storm Arwen in Kingswood at Allen Banks. ©National Trust Image: Sarah Bennett

"But thanks to Barbour's generous donation, the work on the ground to restore, repair and replant can continue at pace, ensuring these places can be enjoyed for generations to come."

The partnership will help with the task of storm clearance at these sites. Alongside this, tree surveys will be carried out using technology to assess the health of champion trees, path repairs ensuring access for visitors, and other landscaping. 

For 2022, Barbour itself has committed to plant 10,000 trees for this appeal and another 90,000 globally as part of its own More Trees project, supporting areas that have witnessed large-scale deforestation.