A NURSERY firm, based in Ampfield, is set to plant around 30,000 trees this winter following the purchase of 200 acres of farmland in east Hampshire.

Hillier Nurseries has bought Flexcombe Farm in Liss for £4m.

The land at Flexcombe Farm was previously used for grazing cattle, leaving the soil rich with nutrients, which combined with the free-draining land, provides ideal conditions for growing trees.

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In full production, Flexcombe is expected to produce over 100,000 standard and heavy-standard ornamental trees.

The company employs more than 800 staff across its 19 garden centres, wholesale nursery and trees departments and brands itself as is the "largest tree grower in the UK".