A NEWPORT woodland group has finally gained charity status after a year of trying to achieve it.

Save Our Woodland, which has recently had a name change and is now known as Bassaleg Community Woodland Trust, received its official charity status earlier this month, after a year of campaigning.

The group was first set up in March 2015 to try and save an area of woodland off Ruperra Close from bulldozers, but has also spent a lot of time campaigning to create more green spaces in Bassaleg with woodland community parks.

Victoria Cox-Wall, trustee of Bassaleg Community Woodland Trust, said receiving the status showed how hard the group had been working.

She said: “It feels like quite an achievement because it is a complex and challenging process to become a registered charity.

"It has taken a lot of hard work and almost a year to achieve it so we are all very proud.

“I think being a registered charity gives trust in the community that we are doing our part."

To celebrate the charity’s status, there will be a ‘tree party’ held outside Graig Community Centre on Sunday, September 4.

Bassaleg Community Woodland Trust set up the tree party in association with the UK wide Woodland Trust, who they work alongside.

"The Woodland Trust actually asked us to host a tree party when we could so we thought it was a great idea to have one and also celebrate becoming a registered charity at the same time," said Miss Cox-Wall.

The tree party will include live music, food, a pop up bar and entertainment which will run from 3pm to 6pm.

Everyone is invited to join the event, which will be opened by Newport Council leader Debbie Wilcox who was invited by residents and will be making a speech.

Mrs Wilcox said: “I was invited by residents to attend their picnic tree party and celebrate the formation of a new woodland charity. It is always good to see people working together for their community.”