VILLAGERS in Poulshot, near Devizes, are hoping to turn the clock back by planting 1,500 native trees on former allotment land in the village.

Poulshot means Paul's Wood but it has been many years since the village, once the haunt of highwayman Thomas Boulter, has been notable for its woodland.

Nora Dixon, who received an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list this year for services to Poulshot, said: "If you drove down to the village in the old days it looked like a forest. But in the 1970s Dutch Elm Disease took its toll and we lost thousands of trees.

"We are hoping to make amends for that with this woodland, which will be a place where people can picnic and hold outdoor events."

Part of the cost of planting is being met by proceeds from the sale of Mrs Dixon's book, Down Poulshot, which was published last year.

In addition to the £3,500 from the book, money has been forthcoming from the Forestry Commission and the International Tree Foundation.

Poulshot Village Trust took up Mrs Dixon's idea to plant trees at Green Gardens and the parish council agreed to rent the land to the trust.

Wiltshire County Council tree officer Steve Russell and friends from Urchfont, who carried out a similar exercise at Oakfrith Wood in 2000, have also supported the idea.

The main planting will take place over the weekend of November 29 and 30 and trust members are appealing for volunteers to help.