NATURE lovers from across the region used their green fingers to take part in a Guinness World Record attempt at the weekend.

Colin Adwent

NATURE lovers from across the region used their green fingers to take part in a Guinness World Record attempt at the weekend.

The Tree O'Clock event was designed to help the environment and increase the number of trees in the UK.

The nationwide event aimed to plant the greatest number of trees during one hour at locations all over the country in order to help raise awareness about the importance of trees and their impact on the environment.

Several groups from across the region joined the attempt to plant 600,000 trees between 11am and noon on Saturday.

They included 2nd Martlesham Girl Guides, who planted a tree in the village's recreation ground.

Organisers from the BBC's Breathing Places project will announce later this week whether the world record has been broken.

Mary Neale, Suffolk Coastal District Council cabinet member for countryside and leisure said: “The Tree O'Clock event is a great way for people to get actively involved with helping to create more green areas.

“I would encourage local residents to consider what they could do to help maintain and improve the trees in our district.”

Suffolk Coastal's planting group put in 20 trees at The Fitches in Knodishall during the record attempt on Saturday.

As part of National Tree Week volunteers from Suffolk Coastal's Parish Tree Scheme planted hedging in Chapel Lane South in Wickham Market. Other volunteers from Suffolk Probation Service planted 200 metres of hedge at Molletts Farm in Benhall, Saxmundham.

Grundisburgh Primary School, near Woodbridge, also joined the world record tree-planting bid as pupils and staff enjoyed a Christmas fair.

Also among the attractions at Saturday's fundraising event were games, a Santa's grotto, and a shopping and craft area.

The school's headmistress, Rosemary Scott, helped by some of the youngsters, planted a tree as part of the BBC's Tree O'Clock campaign.

Victoria Cox, one of the organisers of the fair, said: “It went really well. We seemed to be very busy. Most of the children from the school came, along with quite a few from nearby villages. They seemed to enjoy themselves very much.”