A GREEN group launched in Ilminster earlier this year has announced an ambitious new project to plant 7,000 trees in the town.

Green Ilminster started after Extinction Rebellion protests made the headlines across the country.

The group quickly got to work by holding two anti-plastic demonstrations at the town’s Tesco superstore.

Plans were also in place early to plant a new flower meadow, with founding member Sarah Hunt saying progress on that project is going well.

But the latest plans to be put in motion by the group are their biggest yet - to plant 7,000 trees in the Ilminster area.

Sarah said: “For this initiative, we are looking for people who have packages of land they are willing to donate.

“Even if people can do one tree or 10 trees or 100 trees, we want them to come forward.

“We have already got a few sporadic bits and bobs, and we are approaching a few land owners with a special plea.”

Sarah said they picked 7,000 as it is about the population of Ilminster and its surrounding villages.

“It would be quite nice if we are able to plant one for each person,” she added.

The Green Ilminster team is also looking for financial contributions to help purchase the new trees.

Sarah said: “In a way, it is good, but the Woodland Trust has apparently run out of trees for this year.

“It means we are looking for donations to help us to plant the trees, as well as people with some land to come forward.”

The Green Ilminster group now has more than 300 people following its Facebook page.

There are eight members of the steering group, with 10 people involved in the flower meadow project and another six leading the tree planting initiative.

When the group was launched, Sarah said: “For Green Ilminster, we want to be a bit of a catalyst for getting people to think differently and to put pressure on people to change their ways, especially those big companies.”

If you are able to help with Green Ilminster’s bid to plant 7,000 trees, or you just want to get involved in their environmentally friendly efforts, get in touch through the Green Ilminster Facebook page.

Sarah added: “With the flower meadow, we have made quite good headway.

“It would be great if we can have someone come forward and say they will take 500 trees.

“That would be a great start for us.”