THE smog and smoke from Immingham factories will be lifted thanks to the planting of thousands of trees.
Volunteers came out in force to plant 5,000 trees on land off Spring Street over the weekend as part of the Jubilee Woods Project.
Once grown, it will transform the field into a woodland locals can be proud of and will become home to hundreds of different types of wildlife.
Ecology officer for North East Lincolnshire Council, Mike Sleight, said: "It is going to give Immingham something similar to Bradley Woods, and they don't have anything like at the moment. It will become lovely woodland which in the future will contribute to the air quality, which is an issue here. It will also enhance the wildlife.
"It is the perfect place for them."
It was the first of a series of community tree-planting days, organised by the Woodland Trust and North East Lincolnshire Council, which will see a total of 20,000 trees planted on the site by December 7.
And while they have their work cut out for them, the hardy bunch managed to plant 2,500 scotts pine and broadleaf trees in just half an hour.
The local In Bloom groups are each lending a hand during the various planting days.
Chairman of Cleethorpes In Bloom, Bob Callison, said: "Immingham is an industrial port town. These trees will help clear the air of dust and smog from the factories so whatever they are taking out of the environment we are helping put back in.
"Nature is a wonderful thing and if you look after it, it will look after you."
Tens of kindhearted volunteers lent a hand but organisers want to see more next Saturday when they return to the site for another morning of tree planting.
One volunteer, Keith Knox, 64, of Lundy Court, Immingham, said: "It is great for the community and while I probably won't live to see them grown, it is great to know I was a part of it. It is great for wildlife and brings fresh air to the town."
Natalie Parry, 14, of Grimsby, helped plant the trees in a bid to complete her Duke of Edinburgh award.
She said: "It has been a great experience and something to do for the morning. It will look really good when they are all grown and when I see it I can think, 'I did that'. It is a great idea."
