Free trees to boost green spaces

The council wants to boost the number of trees in the region

People living in west Lancashire are being offered free trees in a council bid to spruce up its neighbourhoods.

West Lancashire District Council says it wants to make the area more leafy, green and beautiful.

Although some of its parks and villages are well-covered, less than 4% of the overall district has tree coverage.

Residents can apply for up to 10 trees from a range of native species such as oak, birch and hawthorn. Applications must be in by 31 October.

Visible from road

Councillor Martin Forshaw, planning spokesman, said: "This is an innovative scheme by the council to try to help make West Lancs even more green and beautiful by increasing the number of trees in our district.

"Over the last 50 years, almost half of the country's woodland has disappeared and, although some parts of West Lancs are well-covered, overall our district has less than 4% of its area covered by trees.

"I hope that local people will take the chance to look in their gardens and see if they have space for more trees and take up our special offer of having a tree for free."

All trees will be about two to three years old, and about 3.3ft (1m) high.

Successful residents must plant their trees in the West Lancashire District Council area, visible from a public road or footpath.