ONE man's waste is another man's opportunity, they say and that's certainly the case on Allington Hill.

When Defoe Smith from Bridport, heard the community space was to lose some of its ash trees he had an idea how to turn the felled trees into something positive.

After hearing the tree would need to come down as part of a management plan to improve the diversity of tree species he approached the Allington Hill, Cooper's Wood and Field Community Group, otherwise known as the Allington Hillbillies, with his idea of installing "Cooper's Circle" an area which could be used by everyone in the local community for such events as story telling, woodland activities and family gatherings..

The group in turn approached Allington Parish Council who lease the land from the Woodland Trust, with the idea.

Mr Smith said: "I wanted to create a meeting place, a peaceful place to sit and ponder, a story tellers circle, a place where the solstices can be seen in, a forest school area, a meditation area, a clearing where you literally can look up at the stars, but most importantly it's our area.

"Allington hill is a very special place to a lot of the community and now with the addition of Coopers Circle I hope that more people will find a connection and be inspired.

"I'd like to express my gratitude to pirate Jack and to Tommy who helped with the processes from the initial conception to the construction, the Allington Hillbillies for their initial understanding and hard work making the dead hedging and Allington Parish Council for granting permission and supporting the project."

Sarah Worner an Allington Hillbilly volunteer has taken on project managing the area said: "Defoe and the volunteers have worked very hard over the last few months getting the area ready for the summer season.

"We have held several woodland activities in the new area and now will be inviting other organisations to use Cooper's Circle.

"I am putting together an information pack, which gives guidance to schools, clubs and well being groups who wish to book the circle for their own use. Local people will also be able to book the area for family gatherings and children parties."

The email address is CoopersCircle@gmail.com