AN award-winning tree group celebrated its tenth anniversary this weekend, welcoming back its oldest member.

Trees for Cotherstone was set up in 2004 after two of its founding members noted that the area was full of mature trees that were gradually falling down and leaving gaps in hedgerows.

The community group, which received joint first prize in the AONB Partnership Conservation Awards in 2005 and in 2009 received a County Durham Community Partnership environmental award, has planted more than 1,000 new trees.

To celebrate, almost fifty residents joined in a guided walk around Cotherstone followed by refreshments, including a celebratory cake which was cut by the group’s youngest member.

Allan Rayner, chairman of Trees for Cotherstone, said: “The main aim of the group is to plant trees, mainly in farmland, in order to ensure the continuation of trees in the area when large existing trees die of old age.

“Where necessary each tree is planted in an enclosure to give it protection from rabbits, sheep, deer and horses and this has proved very successful in ensuring all trees survive and grow.

“We had a very good day on Saturday, the weather was kind and our oldest original attendee was present, aged 82.

“Trees for Cotherstone are looking forward to the next ten years of tree planting.”