Foresters are leaving trays of acorns out for jays, which are colourful woodland birds.

The birds then take the acorns and hide them in the soil around the forest to eat later.

But the jays often forget where they have buried the acorns so they remain underground and can to grow into oaks.

It is like having a volunteer that works 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all weathers and doesn't complain

Colin Green

It is hoped the scheme will help re-forest the Leicestershire woodland area on the cheap.

Environmental adviser Colin Green said: "The jay is a superb bird, that at this time of year will go and collect them (acorns) and go and bury them in woodland and hedgerows.

"But the problem is when you are a birdbrain you do tend to forget where you have put them.

"So what they are doing really is growing oak trees of the future."

Mr Green added: "It is like having a volunteer that works 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all weathers and doesn't complain."

The scheme is being run on an experimental basis by Severn Trent Water.