Around 2,400 trees have been planted in a stately home's grounds to thank Covid heroes. 

Breckland Council joined forces with the National Trust for the project in the grounds of Oxburgh Hall, near Swaffham.

The Green Light Trust - one of the National Trust’s partner organisations - helped out.

The broadleaf trees were positioned across seven acres of land and have been fenced off to prevent predation by the local deer population.

Together, the trees make up a ‘Woodland of Thanks’ to recognise those in the public sector who worked during the Covid pandemic.

Councillor Helen Crane, Breckland's executive member for sustainability, said she was delighted people who worked so hard during the tough times of the past few years could be honoured with a lasting, living memorial.

She said: "The trees will help form a new forest and increase biodiversity and sustainability in the area."

A spokesperson for the National Trust said: “We’re happy to see more trees being planted across Norfolk, it brings us another step closer to our goal of planting 20 million trees across the country by 2030.