People on the Shotley peninsula can today have their say on plans for a 'healing' woodland space in memory of those who died from Covid-19, with a new survey having been launched in Suffolk and council chiefs behind the scheme say the potential locations are to be identified in the new year.

In July Suffolk County Council unanimously agreed to establish 'healing woods' in the county which would enable people who lost loved ones to Covid-19 a space to grieve or reflect on the pandemic.

A survey has now been launched online for people to share their thoughts and preferences on what they would like to see.

Among the questions people can answer are whether they believe there should be multiple woods spread across the county, and whether it should be on existing public ground.

Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for the environment, who put forward the motion in the summer, said: "With Suffolk's healing woods we will all have access to natural spaces, where we can reflect on our own experiences of the pandemic, or take a quiet moment to grieve for loved ones.

"Nature's calming and peaceful influence is shown to improve our mental health and can reduce stress and anxiety.

"We are currently living through a time of great loss and disruption, and the effects of Covid-19 will be a part of all our lives for many years to come.

"We've already had a really positive and personal response to this project, and whatever your background or beliefs, nature offers a place for all to reflect and remember.

"It's really important to me, to hear from as many people as possible about how and where a healing wood will have the most positive impact for them."

The survey will run online until November 25. The council will then collate and publish the results with a plan for the next steps.

The council has already committed £228,000 from its Suffolk 2020 Fund to plant 100,000 trees across the county, including replanting hedgerows, creating 10 community tree nurseries and improving roadside grass verges.

Visit the consultation page here to take part.