New trees have been planted to create a woodland area in Braywick Park behind the new Leisure Centre.

The 100 saplings are designed to offset the carbon emissions generated by the building of the centre.

They will also aid the creation of a new woodland wildlife habitat and all the trees planted are native British species including Silver Birch, Grey Willow, Whitebeam, Hazel and Hawthorn.

The ceremony was attended by local volunteers plus Cllr Samantha Rayner, director of Wates Construction Andy Wates and the company’s business unit director Alec Jackman.

The Braywick build, which began last October will see a new leisure facility replace the 40-year-old Magnet Leisure Centre, boasting a 10-lane swimming pool, larger training and splash pools, a larger sports hall, a 200-station gym and four squash courts.

The scheme will also use 70per cent less energy than the existing Magnet Leisure Centre and have vastly improved disabled access to enable everyone to enjoy it.