A group dedicated to improving a city park is hoping to secure new trees to ensure the 'lacklustre' park thrives.

Des Fulcher set up the Friends of Sloughbottom Park group and lives nearby.

He hopes that the group can secure some trees to create a more inviting environment for both people and wildlife.

Norwich Evening News: People from the Woodland Trust planting treesPeople from the Woodland Trust planting trees (Image: PA Media)

Mr Fulcher, a former district councillor in South Norfolk, said that there are areas of the green space which would benefit from having trees and shrubs planted to support the environment - and he has sights set on a particular project.

The Woodland Trust is giving away free shrubbery to schools and communities with the hope of planting thousands - if not millions - of new greenery nationwide.

"The building at Sloughbottom Park is in a neglected state and can be a bit of a haven for drug abuse," he said.

Norwich Evening News: Des Fulcher of Friends of Sloughbottom Park, who is calling for free trees from he Woodland Trust to be planted in the city green spaceDes Fulcher of Friends of Sloughbottom Park, who is calling for free trees from he Woodland Trust to be planted in the city green space (Image: Des Fulcher)

"The park in general is a big, unimaginative space and there's areas which would benefit, I'm sure, from having something done to it.

"It's a big, lacklustre open space that could be made more interesting and creative.

"There's a lot that can be done with it.

"On the left, it links up to Sweet Briar Marshes."

Applications for the Woodland Trust's second delivery period for 2023, in November, open on Wednesday, January 18.

Mr Fulcher continued: "Would this not be a great opportunity?

"This is free so it's a no-brainer.

"If you look at Waterloo Park, I guess that would be a nice ideal to achieve - to add some structure and interest to the park.

"It's got potential. You need something to compensate for all the houses going up."

The Mile Cross park is already in line for a windfall of £850,000 from the Greater Norwich Growth Board, as part of an £8.5m scheme to regenerate it.

Norwich Evening News: Chrissie Rumsby, councillor for Mile CrossChrissie Rumsby, councillor for Mile Cross (Image: Simon Floyd)

Chrissy Rumsby, Labour country councillor for the area, said: "It's a feasible option.

"I'd welcome positive input into Sloughbottom Park.

"Friends of Sloughbottom Park can communicate with me to bring this to fruition."

A meeting of Friends of Sloughbottom Park is being held at the Phoenix Centre in Mile Cross on Monday, January 16 from 1pm to 2.30pm.