The Woodland Trust has enlisted the support of a new Councillor Tree Champion for Devon as part of a pilot initiative to protect, restore and create the organisation values.

Claire Wright will engage with local authorities to ensure greater protection for woods in Devon as well as offering advice, knowledge, inspiration and encouragement to people interested in planting trees.

Councillor Wright will support the Woodland Trust in a number of ways - alerting the charity to any threats to ancient woodland, helping to improve policies for trees, encouraging more people to enjoy their local woods and helping the trust get more trees planted locally as it aims to double native woodland across the UK.

The Woodland Trust’s Justin Milward said: “It’s exciting to be able to work with Claire to get trees and woods on the agenda in Devon. By working together we are determined to highlight the many benefits of trees and woods and hopefully make the region even greener.”

Cllr Wright added: “I am only too aware of the threats facing our trees and woodlands at the moment; it feels as though they have never been more at risk from development and disease. I love trees and care passionately about protecting them. I am honoured that the Woodland Trust asked me to be its Tree Champion for Devon and will do my best to champion the cause of trees across the county.”