MEMBERS of the Kent County Agricultural Society have begun planting 1,200 trees at White Horse Wood, near Maidstone.

The society, which is based at the nearby County Showground at Detling has a plot in the wood where it is planting specifically Kent-grown trees, including oak, ash, hornbeam and crab apple.

The society's president, Lord Kingsdown, said: "We're very pleased to be making this contribution, especially as White Horse Wood is our neighbour. It will make a good skyline feature round the edge of the County Showground."

White Horse Wood is a Kent County Council-run project to replace the ancient woodland on top of the North Downs. Already 19,000 trees have been planted. Cllr Mike Harrison, former chairman of the KCC's environment sub committee, said: "This will help us to make the wood into a lovely place for people to visit and enjoy for years to come."

All 1,200 trees should be planted by the end of March.