New trees in Manchester treble after campaign

Tree-planting in Manchester has trebled over the past year as a result of community group schemes and the BBC's Tree o'clock campaign.

More than 12,000 new trees were dug in parks, streets and gardens, representing a rise of 8,000 on the previous year.

The council's annual target is 4,000, but was boosted through the campaign's distribution of free saplings.

The Tree O'clock campaign in December planted 50,000 new trees nationwide.

Mass planting events in Manchester took place in Wythenshawe Park, Brookdale Park in Newton Heath and Acorn Close Open Space in Levenshulme.

People were also invited to pick up young trees and take them away for planting in their own neighbourhoods.

A council spokesman said that the increase was also due to local conservation groups planting throughout the year.

Councillor Nigel Murphy said: "Manchester is rapidly establishing a well-deserved reputation as being one of the greenest cities in the country, and these extra trees will make the city's parks and streets even more attractive for residents to enjoy.

"We've set ourselves ambitious targets for planting new trees every year, but managing to treble that target is something we should all be proud of."