Youngsters at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery rolled up their sleeves to help plant a 'tiny' forest designed to reach maturity faster than other woodland areas.

The Cooper Road forest is one of three planned by North Norfolk District Council in partnership with a number of other groups.

It is hoped the so-called Miyawaki forests will grow up to 10 times as fast as traditional forests due to methods including close planting, meaning strong competition among trees to claim a place in the sun of the forest canopy.

Annie Sommazzi, NNDC's climate and environmental policy manager, said: "Existing Miyawaki forests have proven to be incredibly effective at delivering big results for both local communities and local wildlife."

More planting sessions are due to take place at Acorn Road in North Walsham, involving students from North Walsham High School and North East Norfolk Conservation Volunteers, on Friday, February 25.

The other Miyawaki forest in the NNDC area is taking root at Warren Avenue, Fakenham.

North Norfolk News: Reece and Abby, aged 10, planting trees at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery.Reece and Abby, aged 10, planting trees at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery. (Image: Brittany Woodman/ Archant)

North Norfolk News: Ellie May and Melissa, aged 10, planting trees at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery.Ellie May and Melissa, aged 10, planting trees at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery. (Image: Brittany Woodman/ Archant)

North Norfolk News: Arlo, aged 10, planting trees at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery.Arlo, aged 10, planting trees at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery. (Image: Brittany Woodman/ Archant)

North Norfolk News: Arlo, aged 10, planting trees at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery.Arlo, aged 10, planting trees at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery. (Image: Brittany Woodman/ Archant)

North Norfolk News: Nigel Stannett, climate change officer at Norfolk District Council, helped pupils at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery to plant a mini forest.Nigel Stannett, climate change officer at Norfolk District Council, helped pupils at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery to plant a mini forest. (Image: NNDC)

North Norfolk News: Nigel Stannett, climate change officer at Norfolk District Council, tells Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery pupils about the importance of planting trees.Nigel Stannett, climate change officer at Norfolk District Council, tells Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery pupils about the importance of planting trees. (Image: Brittany Woodman/ Archant)

North Norfolk News: Elijah and Jack, aged 10, planting trees at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery.Elijah and Jack, aged 10, planting trees at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery. (Image: Brittany Woodman/ Archant)

North Norfolk News: Pupils at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery school planted a tiny forest known as a Miyawaki Forest.Pupils at Sheringham Community Primary School and Nursery school planted a tiny forest known as a Miyawaki Forest. (Image: Brittany Woodman/ Archant)