A YOUTH organisation representing young Muslims from across Yorkshire has boosted efforts to improve the countryside.

They have done their bit for the environment by planting over 2,300 trees.

Close to 150 volunteers from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) came out in force to plant trees in the newly-developed Dewsbury Country Park.

The project formed part of the AMYA’s national environmental tree planting initiative which runs in partnership with the Woodland Trust.

Some 2,350 trees were planted including Sessile Oak, Silver Birch, Alder, Broad, Leaved Lime, Hornbeam, Mountain Ash bringing the project’s total number of trees planted to over 6,500.

The scheme was organised by Kirklees Council and partners the White Rose Forest project.

Volunteers from West Yorkshire, Sheffield, Hartlepool, London, Liverpool and Peterborough came together to get the planting completed.

The day’s planting took place a week after volunteers planted 800 trees at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire.

Dr Bilal Bhatti, from AMYA Yorkshire, said: “Our members are absolutely delighted that they had the opportunity to contribute towards improving the environment.

“Both safeguarding and beautifying the planet is an important part of our faith as Muslims and indeed a united ambition shared by people of all faiths and backgrounds.

“Events such as these also help to promote good community relations and our members are keen to get involved in similar schemes in the future.”

Ian Buttersfield, forestry manager for the area, said: “This has been the sixth year that members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community have worked with Forest of Bradford to carry out a tree planting project within the district.

“This was another great effort by volunteers from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.

“Volunteers from across the country have contributed to the greening of our environment through creating new woodland that will benefit all who live and work in the area.”