An urban forest in Gorse Hill has achieved charitable incorporated organisation status from the Charity Commission as a result of eight months’ hard work.

The Hreod Burna Urban Forest aims to promote health and wellbeing while maintaining and improving the environment, and to conserve wildlife by clearing some open spaces and planting 1,500 trees and an orchard.

The group will hold its first official AGM on May 14 in the Gorse Hill Community Centre, where the charity’s trustees, who will form the committee that runs HBUF on a day to day basis, will be appointed.

Existing trustees Steve Thompson, Mal Sharpe and Kate Henery will automatically cease to be trustees at the meeting.

Members of the charity will have the chance to vote and stand as a trustee at the AGM as well as at all general meetings and will have a hand in formulating policies. Members also have an opportunity to get their hands dirty tree planting and at litter collections.

Anyone can become a member, the cost is £10 a year.