Fourteen Students on the BTEC Level 1 Vocational Diploma have joined forces with the volunteers from the Friends of Thoroughsale and Hazelwood to carry out coppicing duties in two of Corby’s oldest woods.

The tree thinning is a vital job to for the future health of the woodland as it encourages light to reach the ground which promotes the growth of woodland plants and habitats for insects.

 The harvest will be used to make walking sticks and provide organic material to support hedges.

The students have become involved as part of their 'Community Action' unit which requires them to discover more about local community projects.

They have worked alongside the Friends of volunteers who have taught them ancient coppicing techniques, as well as how to work as part of a team.

So far the groups have braved the elements to clear an area of woodland by the Boating Lake and have experienced great satisfaction from the project.

Teacher Kim Isaksen said: “The group have got so much from the project already.

“Cutting down trees and removing large quantities of wood is very manual work and despite cold windy conditions students have been motivated by the difference they are making to the woodland area.”

Pictured – Matthew Bell and Nick Galway