Bradgate Park has started an exciting new project to plant more than 5,000 trees to create a new woodland after being given around £75,000 in funding to carry out the work.

Part of the National Forest's Changing Landscapes Scheme, the park will be planting 12 different types of tree, including wild cherry, silver birch and several different types of oak tree.

Four different types of shrub, featuring hazel and dog rose are also in the process of being planted.

The planting is expected to take place throughout February in Alablaster Hayes field, an area of green space off Roecliffe Road and next to Swithland Woods.

The newly created woodland area will also have a surfaced path from the woods and park benches, two boards with information about the project and a tree-leaf rubbing post where children can take their own imprint of their favourite leaves.

Funding has been provided by the National Forest Company through its Changing Landscape Scheme.

Additional support has come from the Charnwood Landscape Partnership Scheme, which is backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Together, the funding will help bring the area to life with the planting of large parkland trees in the field next to the new woodland.

Louise Driver, the National Forest Company's Director of Operations, said: "Bradgate Park is a beloved open space for the people of Leicestershire and the National Forest. The new woodlands, hedgerows and parkland trees enabled by this funding will ensure the Park will be rich in wildlife for generations to come."

James Dymond, Director of the Bradgate Park Trust, said: "I am absolutely delighted to see us begin this fantastic project and I'd like to thank the National Forest and the Charnwood Landscape Partnership Scheme for their funding to bring our ambitions of developing the Alabaster Hayes field to reality.

"The opportunity to expand Bradgate Park's woodland area means visitors will have even more areas to explore and enjoy, and that the Trust is helping to do its bit to mitigate climate change."

Chair of Bradgate Park Trust, Nick Rushton has said: "We continue to see Bradgate Park go from strength to strength. The addition of over 5,000 trees, pathways and benches for the public in a previously underused space will only add to people's enjoyment of one of the most popular parks in the county.

"This brilliant project also has many environmental benefits, and it's great to see Bradgate Park play its part as the county works towards its target to be net zero carbon, including the ambition to plant 700,000 trees across Leicestershire – a tree for every resident.

"We're proud of the work that goes into making Bradgate Park such a success, and the support of the National Forest and the Charnwood Landscape Partnership Scheme is appreciated to keep bringing visitors coming from near and far, all year round."