YOUNG people from Woodhey High School have been making a difference to the local community.

The CommuniTree Initiative, a group that helps people have a greater with nature, worked with ten pupils from years 8 and 9.

Thanks to funding from Ramsbottom Community Hub the pupils have achieved their John Muir Award, a conservation award that encourages people to discover, learn about, care for and share their green spaces.

To achieve their award the children worked in disused and unmanaged woodland off Whalley Road in Ramsbottom.

Daniel English, CommuniTree founder, said: “The woodland was planted over 20 years and has, overtime been used as a dumping ground.

“The young people worked hard to clean up the area, develop skills in woodland management, basic ecology, tool use and the importance of working together.

“When they finished their work the entire place was unrecognisable and many local people were stopping to admire what had been done and show their gratitude.

“The feedback we had from the pupils was great too because they were really proud of what they had done and that they had done something positive for their community.”

CommuniTree spearheaded the project in an attempt to open up a green space in the town for local children, families and schools to use.

Mr English commented: “Research suggests that when children and families enjoy green spaces in their community they gain many health and well being benefits including increased mood and better general physical fitness.

“It is also reported that other people in the community are more likely to engage with and care for their green spaces too.

“CommuniTree is working tirelessly to ensure every child in Ramsbottom and Bury has access to high quality regular outdoor learning in their home town.”

The John Muir Award has four challenges that the children needed to complete to get the award.

These included discovering a place to focus the activity, explore the area, take action to conserve it and then share the experience with other people.

During November CommuniTree will be holding a free woodland community event in the woods to showcase the hard work of the young people.

The event will include campfire cooking, nature games and nature art projects.