Northumberland has seen more than 300 saplings planted by local procurement organisation NEPO and business water supplier Wave.

In a bid to protect and enhance the natural environment, Wave partnered with the Great Northumberland Forest, creating a shelter belt of native trees and large shrubs around the boundary of the cricket at Stamfordham Sports Pavilion.

Organised by NEPO's sole water supplier, 24 volunteers clocked up volunteering hours with representatives from Wave, NEPO, Northumberland County Council and North Tyneside Council.

Social value is an important aspect of NEPO's procurement process.

This includes many forms, including offering training, apprenticeships, and community volunteering days.

Laura Kyle, Energy specialist at NEPO, said: “Social value is integral to everything we do at NEPO, its built into every framework that we deliver, from inception all the way through to contract delivery. Our team have found today really beneficial – it’s great to be outdoors, great doing something to help the local community and great to give something back.”

A total of 1,500 native saplings will be planted at the sports pavilion as part of the wider Great Northumberland Forest scheme.

Mark Child, Great Northumberland Forest programme manager, said: “The Great Northumberland Forest is a plan to establish millions of trees, creating more wooded landscapes across the county by 2030.

“Schemes like this provide great added value with community engagement and opportunities for people to come and volunteer.

"If you want to get involved through volunteering to plant trees, or if you’re a landowner or land manager and could provide land for us to plant, please get in touch.”