SHAFTESBURY residents will bid to reduce the town’s carbon footprint by planting 500 trees in just six hours.

Volunteers with Shaftesbury and District Task Force’s open spaces group will plant the trees at the Wincombe Lane recreation ground on Sunday March 6.

The open space on the town’s eastern edge is already surrounded on three sides by houses and will be further enclosed by a new development set for completion by 2018.

Organiser John Parker has called on residents to step forward and help plant the trees to a scheme drawn up resident Douglas Childs, a retired landscape architect.

“The aim of the day is not only to help reduce Shaftesbury’s carbon footprint by planting more trees but also to start to create an asset for future generations,” said Mr Parker.

Volunteers will wield spades between 10am and 4pm and plant a mixture of maple, sycamore, Italian alder, sweet chestnut, ash and English oak.

Dorset Countryside Rangers will provide tools and advice, while Shaftesbury charity, Hope2Bake will provide refreshments and cake for volunteers.

The trees will be small native saplings trees chosen for their suitability for the soil and the area. They will be planted in close proximity to allow the best to be chosen as they grow.

Hedge planting will take place in the spring to reinforce the park’s boundaries, and all-weather footpaths will be built around the park.

Volunteers with the Shaftesbury Open Spaces Group are hoping to build on their recent success at the Barton Hill recreation ground.

The work at Wincombe Lane is backed by Shaftesbury Town Council with financial contributions from developers after residents gave the scheme the thumbs up in public consultation held in autumn 2009.

To get involved, call 01747 855448.