A GROUP of Forest of Dean Council staff hoping to help plant a record 137,000 trees over the weekend struck lucky on Sunday morning with a break in the rain.
"I had gone to bed on Saturday night thinking it would be a washout, but then we turned out on Sunday and it was a glorious morning," said organiser Richard Busby.
"We got rained off at about a quarter past one but by then we had planted 202 trees towards the target of 137,331 nationally. When I checked on Monday they were around 120,000 and still counting."
Mr Busby said around 30 council staff members and their partners and children had turned out as well as at least three councillors with their families.
Their 202 trees will mature in a new plantation not far from the picnic site at Mallard's Pike Lake in an area with easy public access.
"They are all sweet chestnuts so it will be nice for the children in future years to collect some to eat," said Mr Busby.
The Guinness World Tree Planting Record attempt, organised by the Tree Council, which involves planting the greatest number of trees in a three-day period, is part of Esso National Tree Week.
"It may seem odd to plant a few hundred trees in the middle of the millions which make up the Forest of Dean," said Mr Busby.
"But every new tree will contribute to tackling the greenhouse effect by absorbing carbon dioxide, providing habitat for many species and of course adding to the natural attraction of our beautiful district."