CHILDREN planted 170 donated trees at Hambledon Primary School in an event organised by Carbon Footprint.

Some 105 pupils took part in last Wednesday’s three-hour planting session, which was held to help parking company RingGo offset its carbon emissions.

The focus was on creating a new green space for the children which they can watch grow and help manage.

They learned about deforestation and sustainability, took part in team bonding tasks and were presented with certificates recognising their hard work.

The children were helped by headteacher Paul Davies, RingGo’s head of professional services David Mitchell, and Cllr Martin Tod of Winchester City Council, the cabinet member for service quality and transformation.

RingGo, which provides a pay by phone service for Winchester’s park and ride car parks, wants to make towns cleaner and healthier, while the council is encouraging an increase in tree planting as part of its plans to become a carbon neutral organisation by 2024 and create a carbon neutral district by 2030.

Mr Davies said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for the children to make an active contribution towards their learning environment and the sustainability of our beautiful rural village of Hambledon.

“Thank you to RingGo for supplying the trees.”