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Why have Christmas trees been buried on beach?

Isobel Fry,North Westand
Lauren Hirst,North West
News imageBBC Volunteers, who are wearing high-vis jackets over their clothing, are using spades to shovel sand on the sand dunes. There are rows of Christmas trees in front of them. BBC
Thousands of old Christmas trees have been donated to the scheme

On a cold and rainy day in February on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, rows and rows of old Christmas trees are being lined up to be given a second lease of life.

Volunteers from the Fylde Sand Dunes Project have gathered along the sand dunes to bury the evergreens donated by residents, charities and businesses following the festive season.

The trees are placed in front of the existing dunes in the hope they will act as a natural sea defence to protect nearby homes and roads as well as the wildlife.

Amy Pennington, the project's senior engagement officer, said the scheme was "really important" as 80% of the sand dunes had been lost "over the past 150 to 200 years".

"It's important for the people that live here in the houses behind," she said.

"But it's also really important for wildlife because the work that we're doing helps to build the sand dunes up, which creates lots of habitats for lots of biodiversity and endemic animals that wouldn't be able to live anywhere else like the sand lizards."

Thousands of discarded Christmas trees have been buried along the coast in hope they will create new sand dunes.

As the wind blows, the branches of the trees trap sand, gradually creating new dunes.

News imageAmy Pennington, who is wearing a red coat and hat with the words Fylde Sand Dunes Project, is standing in front of rows of old Christmas trees on the sand dunes.
Amy Pennington is leading the project on Fylde Coast

Since 2013, hundreds of volunteers have picked up a spade to help make a difference.

Among this year's group of volunteers is Wilson Clark, who was keen to take part due to the positive benefits to the environment.

"I think it's a really good cause," he said.

"It's obviously doing a lot for the environment by protecting the sand dunes [and] helping to build them up."

Fellow volunteer Lisa Kneadle said it had not crossed her mind that old Christmas trees could be put to good use.

"It was just the last thing you'd think of but it's fantastic," she said.

News imageRows and rows of Christmas trees have been lined up along the sand dunes on Fylde Coast.
The sand dunes have been designated as a site of special scientific interest

The sand dunes along the Fylde Coast are home to a variety of unique plants and animals.

The dunes have been designated as a site of special scientific interest and play a crucial role in providing habitat for flora and fauna of international and national importance.

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