The Northern Ireland Housing Executive's Direct Labour Organisation has started work on a planting scheme in the Parkhall estate in Antrim.

The project is part of the housing authority's grounds rehabilitation programme for the district.

Grounds Maintenance Manager Ronnie McCreanor said: "The Housing Executive's grounds maintenance programmes in our districts cover not only the annual cycles of seasonal grass cutting and tidying, but also take in rehabilitation projects that are designed to improve the local environment.

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"This project at Parkhall will see over 400 trees planted in the estate as well as replanting a number of shrubbed areas.

"Our grounds staff and district office staff have worked closely with the local community group and other agencies on planning the project and I welcome their support.

"The local Parkhall community has also played a key role in regenerating the apple orchard at Donegore Drive on the periphery of the estate. The orchard, over 100 years old, has been brought back to life in recent years with the help of pupils from Parkhall Primary School who have participated in the replanting that has taken place.

"This work will also now be completed with an entrance feature erected to mark this important site," he added.

Parkhall homes have been the subject of a number of improvement and maintenance contracts in the past sever year.

However, this environmental project is the first of its kind to be carried out in the area.

(PR/JM)