A community group has been forging friendships and learning to ride bicycles while connecting with nature.

The AfriQuan group, which consists of people from towns surrounding the Quantock Hills, has benefited from monthly meet-ups at Great Wood, near Bridgwater.

The meet-ups, which have been taking place for the last six months, have been funded by Forestry England's Feel Good in The Forest programme.

It aims to help people to be more active, boost wellbeing, and explore nature.

The AfriQuan group was also joined by some refugees living nearby in hotels.

Most of the group originate from Africa and work for the NHS in the mental health sector.

They have been learning to ride bicycles and connecting with nature, with the help of other organisations including Equi-Librium Coaching and Therapy, Forest Catkins, On Your Bike, and Exmoor Adventures.

Community ranger for Forestry England, Tara Maxamed, said: "It’s been wonderful to see the group enjoy the benefits of being outdoors while bonding with one another.

"Participants have had the time and space to just be themselves, decompress outside of the pressures of life where they may be feeling under pressure and isolated.

"It was particularly heartwarming to see a friendship forge between two ladies – one from Eritrea and the other from Kurdistan – who communicated in Arabic as a shared second language.

"The programme has benefitted people of all ages, from a teenager enjoying cycling in the hills to an adult learning to ride a bike for the first time.

"The group is now talking about forming their own community interest company to raise funds to continue such activities and spend time with one another creating a positive life here in the UK."

Jon Barrett from the Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme added: "Working in partnership with Forestry England has meant that we’ve been able to provide more support to the AfriQuan community and a more comprehensive and inclusive way of protecting our local landscape.

"The team have embraced working with these developing groups and it really makes a difference for all involved."

For more information on the Feel Good in the Forest programme, visit www.forestryengland.uk/feel-good-in-the-forest.