Congleton residents and businesses have been encouraged to plant trees with just a month of this year's planting season remaining.

Cheshire East Council has announced that more than 6,000 trees are planned to be planted across the borough during this planting season (ending March 2020).

In May 2019, a notice of motion was backed by a unanimous vote at full council which called for a commitment to the target of Cheshire East Council being carbon neutral by 2025.

The tree-planting initiative will support this motion as each tree planted has the potential to capture around one tonne of carbon over its lifetime.

Nub News reported yesterday that Congleton Sustainability Group and Cheshire Wildlife Trust have formed a partnership that aims to plant more trees in Congleton.

The partnership has support from Congleton Town Council and Cheshire East as it embarks on an ambitious plan to plant a tree for every person in Congleton over the next five years as part of its Trees for Congleton project.

This will see over 30,000 trees being planted in the town and surrounding areas.

Further tree planting will take place in Congleton at Marshall Grove play area on Sunday from 10am to 3pm.

Councillor Nick Mannion, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said: "I am delighted to be able to announce that we are planting so many trees across our borough. Trees play a vital role in our environment.

"Not only do they produce oxygen, they also help to absorb the carbon dioxide emissions we create each and every day. Planting trees is just one measure that we can all take, where possible, to reduce our carbon footprint.

"We are also asking our community groups, schools, residents and businesses to plant a responsibly sourced tree and nurture it for the future."

Councillor Quentin Abel, Cheshire East Council's climate change champion, said: "I'm really pleased with this initiative. I would like to congratulate our officers at Cheshire East for making it possible to plant the 6,000 trees this side of the growing season.

"The care and attention to detail that has been put in place, should result in an approximately 80 per cent increase in growth rate - with all the advantages and benefits this provides to all our communities."

If you would like to show your support in combatting climate change, Tatton Park are hosting a tree planting day on Saturday 14 March, where you can volunteer to help.

For advice and guidance on buying a tree, including an online shop, visit the Woodland Trust website at woodlandtrust.org.uk and select 'plant trees'.