GREEN-FINGERED volunteers are being urged to come forward to help plant hundreds of trees.

Friends of Winterfield (FoW) have wasted no time making progress with a wide-ranging biodiversity project in Dunbar.

At their AGM, the group discussed proposals to create a wildlife garden, widen hedges with a mixture of flowering and fruiting trees, and increase the amount and variety of wildflower beds.

Esther Hughes, co-chair of Friends of Winterfield, said: “This is our effort to harden our parkland to the effects of climate change.

“In doing this, we are making a more friendly habitat for birds, insects and animals.”

FoW membership secretary Judy Miller’s garden design was displayed at Dunbar Library and, with the onset of autumn, work began to prepare the wildlife garden.

Recently the area was scythed by Mark James and André Coner.

Now, FoW volunteers are preparing parts of the park for tree planting.

Work begins in Winterfield Park at 9.30am tomorrow (Friday) and anyone looking to help out should bring a spade or garden trowel.

A spokesperson for the group said: “It’s been heavy work to move the turf.

“There’s still more to do!

“We will be planting 420 trees this Friday, and so the pressure has been on us to be ready for this part of the project.

“Widening the hedges with saplings will create wildlife corridors for animals, and provide better nesting opportunities for wild birds.”

FoW have also been working closely with staff of East Lothian Council’s amenities services, who cut turf, recently planted pollinating flower bulbs and reseeded an area with a native coastal grass and flower mix.