THE newly formed Friends of Morton Stanley Park group started their first project on Saturday - replacing five oak trees lost through storm damage last year.

Redditch Council landscape and countryside manager Nat Healey said: "This is a really good start for the group.

"The project will not only improve the landscape of the park and regenerate the tree stock, but will form a permanent marker of the group's beginnings."

On Monday the landscape and countryside department also planted an oak at Batchley First School.

Last year, the large oak tree which formed part of the school's emblem had to be felled for safety reasons.