More than 40,000 native trees are being planted for farms and landowners in a bid by South West Water (SWW) to help reduce land run-off and improve natural water quality.

This is part of SWW's catchment management programme, Upstream Thinking.

The trees, which were provided by the Woodland Trust, will be delivered and planted by Devon Wildlife Trust, and will see a range of native tree species like blackthorn, hazel and oak delivered to farms across Devon.

A spokesman for SWW said: "The native trees will encourage water to soak into the ground and help to stabilise the soil, reducing the risk of run-off from land into watercourses and thereby improving water quality. The trees will also help to capture carbon and increase biodiversity on the land."

Tim Dart, Upstream Thinking Project Manager at Devon Wildlife Trust, said: “We are really pleased to be delivery partners on South West Water’s Upstream Thinking programme and for their support in delivering this important project to improve water quality and resilient water resources, along with the environmental benefits this brings for wildlife and people.”