MEMBERS of the public are invited to help trees and flowers grow in Swindon today.

Some 1,500 trees and woodland wildflower seeds will be planted in Elmore Park in Eldene to attract more birds and wildlife to the area.

Members of the community will join volunteers from the British Trust for Conservation and staff from the Great Western Community Forest, who organised the project.

Heather Lilley, education and community officer for the Great Western Community Forest said: "The wildflowers will encourage an understorey to develop beneath the trees, which in turn, will imitate natural woodland and provide a wonderful area for local communities to enjoy for years to come."

It is hoped the new greenery will increase the number of heron, water voles and kingfishers that have already been found there.

The event, which runs from 10am to 3pm, takes place following a recent consultation with the community of Elmore, to determine their views on the use of the park on their doorsteps.

Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-operative Society paid for the trees and have supported the project as part of its three-year community partnership with the Great Western Community Forest.