Thetford Forest officials are urging people to hug a tree and get involved in the celebration of the UN's International Year of Forests.

Forest Discovery Days will be taking place at all of the Forestry Commission's sites across the UK on Sunday, September 11.

Visitors to High Lodge, near Thetford, will be able to experience guided walks, nordic walking taster sessions, chainsaw carving demonstrations, and mural painting.

For the children there will be den building and bushcraft, Chinese dragon performers, storytelling and woodland crafts. And on the day, there will be mass tree hug at 2pm across the country.

Pam Warhurst, Forestry Commission chairman, said: 'As an organisation built on the passion and experience of people who really care about what they do, we wanted to mark the International Year of Forests with a series of events. We have a number of fantastic woodlands for people to visit and we'd like welcome everyone to get involved and help us celebrate at their nearest site.'

Go Ape is also offering a 50pc discount on the discovery day if people book online at www.goape.co.uk using promotional code FCGA99.

For more information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/englandiyf