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Volunteers have come together to plant more than 3,000 trees as part of a bid to reduce carbon and boost biodiversity.

More than 150 volunteers came together earlier this month at Rhymney War Memorial Park – with the long-term aim of planting 300,000 trees across the borough by 2030.

The event was organised by the Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (GAVO), the council’s decarbonisation team, and Public Service Board member organisations.

The annual event has seen around 105,000 trees already planted across the borough, thanks to previous years’ efforts.

This year, patients and staff at a mental health support hospital in Rhymney were among the volunteers joining in.

The staff and female service users from St Teilo House were guided by local environmental volunteers, helping them plant a variety of native tree species.

The 23-bed St Teilo House, located on Goshen Street, provides rehabilitation for women with mental health needs.

Donna Hughes, activity coordinator for Cygnet St Teilo, said: “We spent time with the other volunteers before being given the health and safety practices and an explanation on what impact this would have on our environment.

“Off we then went with spades in hand to our planting area. The ground was quite hard to dig and the good old welsh weather didn’t help but we all laughed as we dug the soil, standing back admiring the little seed tree we had planted, now knowing that the little seed would grow into a mighty tree.”

Cygnet hospital manager, Byron Mtandabari, said that he was proud of the patients for getting involved and connecting with nature and the local community.

He added: “Volunteering can have a hugely positive impact on mental wellbeing, and we’re proud to support our patients in engaging with meaningful projects.”