CHILDREN have been planting trees for the community, after treasured trees were accidentally cut down amid housing construction.

The pupils of St Catherine's Primary School in Horwich have donated trees to residents of neighbouring sheltered housing. The tree line outside the housing was cut down by mistake by builders working on the adjacent Horwich Loco Works development site.

On hearing that around 40 homes on Greenstone Avenue had been left with no trees, site manager Neil Ashton and the children sprung into action and decided to replace it with some of their own trees.

A planting session on Tuesday saw eight Year 5 students repair the decimated tree line with 16 trees.

The headteacher of the school, Karen Graham, said that they children were excited to give back to their neighbours.

Mrs Graham said: "We're always thinking about how to get involved in the community.

"The residents were very sad they lost all their trees. The tree cutting was halted but the damage had been done.

"On the plans it shows that the tree line was to remain in place."

Mrs Graham added: "Our site manager Neil Ashton got lots of saplings and he was aware that the redevelopment of the Loco Works.

"When the developers chopped down the tree line between the site and the sheltered housing, we thought it would be really lovely to share the trees."

Mrs Graham said that the children, age between nine and 10, could not wait to get out and start planting.

Taking up their buckets, spades and trowels, the group spent the afternoon putting roots down.

She said: "The children can see the development happening, we can hear the diggers all the time and they are aware that the sheltered housing put up with a lot from us, we wanted to give back."

The headteacher said: "The residents were really pleased and appreciative, and the kids loved the digging.

"It will be wonderful watching them grow."

Groundwork has started for further redevelopment of the historic Loco Works site in Horwich, with foundations and bricks being laid next to the primary school.

The £262 million Rivington Chase scheme took years of planning for developers Blue Mantle, amid concerns among local residents and historical preservation groups.

The first of 104 dwellings being constructed by Bellway Homes for the initial phase of the development are currently being built and are expected to be up for sale soon.