THE ENVIRONMENTAL trust that works to preserve the River Ribble has announced a partnership with two of the UK's youngest gin distillers.

The Ribble Rivers Trust says that the partnership with No.1 Fairham Gin will see the distillery firm, run by Lancashire-based Liam Stemson and Ellis McKeown, buying a tree sapling for every bottle sold through the retail market.

Each of these tree saplings will be planted by the Ribble Rivers Trust across the county.

Mr McKeown said: "We are very proud to be joining forces with Ribble Rivers Trust in their decade-long campaign which hopes to double the area of woodland across Lancashire.

"Liam and I are constantly looking at ways to expand our eco-friendly ethos and the idea behind the one bottle, one tree partnership for us was that for everything we take from nature through the use of botanicals and exotic fruits, we wanted to give back, and what better way to do that than by helping communities local to us whilst also fighting against climate change."

Penwortham-based No.1 Fairham Gin is also now celebrating this partnership by offering free deliveries on gin orders throughout Lancashire, for a limited time only.

The Ribble Rivers Trust says that the trees that are planted will deliver a wide range of benefits, including creating new woodlands for wildlife, boosting biodiversity, slowing the flow of water, reducing flood risk, and improving water and air quality.

They will also help to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere by taking the carbon in as they grow, which will help to reduce the effects of climate change.

Trust CEO Jack Spees said: "Through the pandemic localism has become of far greater importance to everyone, from where you source your food and drink, to how you enjoy your local area.

"This has led to a groundswell of demand from local people wanting more action to improve our rivers and wider environment.

"We are really grateful to businesses like No.1 Fairham Gin, who are demonstrating not only a commitment to the local environment, but local communities.

"We look forward to working with them over the coming years."

Since 1997 the Ribble Rivers Trust has relied on grants and support from businesses like No.1 Fairham Gin to help create new woodlands, restore peat moorlands, remove river blocking weirs, and deliver educational sessions to children

To find out more about how to support the Trust, email charlotte@ribbletrust.com.