FARMERS in Wiltshire can apply for cash to create over 300 acres of woodland.

A grant of over £42,000 has been secured from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Forestry Commission to plant native trees throughout the county.

The new woodland will also provide habitat for animals and wildlife.

Rob Spence, from the Forestry Commission, said: "Over 90 per cent of the trees planted will be native trees such as oak, ash, beech and hazel. This should encourage wildlife as well as flowers."

Allison Hunt, from Defra, said: "The funding means farmers can not only provide the woodland but also receive money year by year so that the new areas will be maintained for the benefit of the trees and the returning wildlife."

Under the scheme farmers will get annual payments for up to 15 years to compensate the loss of income from agriculture.