A CONTRACTING company based in Pershore has been awarded £35,000 from a LEADER grant allowing them to purchase new equipment.

Established and run by Jonathan Cook, the company has grown from a small scale tree surgery and firewood processing business to now include full scale forest harvest work and now employing four full time staff.

Their clients range from individuals to large farms, commercial businesses and forest owners, offering a range of services including carrying out forestry, fencing, tree surgery and firewood sales nationwide.

The money they received from LEADER allowed them to purchase a new tracked timber harvester.

This machine mechanically fells timber grown in woodlands, allowing improved management of the woodland and production of a timber crop.

They are now able to turn over a much larger volume of work than otherwise would be possible using chainsaws or smaller equipment.

Jonathan Cook, of Jonathan Cook Forestry Services Limited, said: "Having had the harvester for a few months now, demand has been high and we are confident that the machine will continue to be kept busy – increasing our turnover and providing scope for expansion in other associated areas.

"We have been able to employ a full time machine operator just for the harvester, and have also been able to take the jump from using occasional sub-contractors to being able to employ three other full time staff to work in the business."

LEADER is part of the Rural Development Programme for England and is delivered locally by Worcestershire County Council and the Worcestershire Local Action Group on behalf of Defra.

The focus of the LEADER programme is on growing the economies of rural communities by enabling local people to identify and implement solutions to local problems.

The project has received funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development under the Rural Development Programme for England.