IT'S not quite a million trees yet, but from the littlest acorns...

As part of a project to plant one million trees this year, Wantage and Grove Lions club planted their first five on Tuesday, April 5, under a rainbow.

Members of the charity group planted the saplings on a green patch of land on the corner of Denchworth Road and Mably Road which marks the boundary between Wantage and Grove.

The trees were donated to low-carbon community group Sustainable Wantage by the East Vale (Wantage) branch of the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust.

Seven Lions, two canal group members and a representative from Sustainable Wanted put the plants in an area which had been cleared by the canal group.

The fundraising Lions are branching out into horticulture as part of a project by the Lions Clubs International to plant one million trees by 2017 to mark the club's centenary.

Wantage member Stuart Milsom explained the trees represented the club's ambition to protect the environment, alongside its other goals "engaging the youth", "sharing the vision" and "relieving the hunger".

He said: "There is an urgent need for the global community to take action to protect the environment given the many issues facing our planet such as climate change, deforestation, and loss of plant and wildlife.

"Lions clubs from around the world have been committed to protecting the environment for several decades and we understand that every small effort makes a big difference.

"We planted five different varieties and sizes to be enjoyed by the community and wildlife, and this was an interaction between three voluntary groups for the improvement of the local environment."

Lions Clubs International has 1.35 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in 206 countries.