KEIGHLEY MP John Grogan helped with the spadework for a national tree-planting initiative.

He was among more than 500 MPs to take part in the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.

The venture comprised a series of forest conservation projects to mark the monarch’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.

Mr Grogan planted two silver birches, two rowans and a hazel tree at the Low Wood Scout Activity Centre, which has recently opened on the site of the former Riddlesden Golf Club.

He was joined by two Cubs from the 11th Keighley (Cullingworth) Scout Group.

“Work will begin soon on the establishment by Keighley Scouts of a new ten-hectare indigenous woodland at Low Wood,” said Mr Grogan.

“Funded by Npower, the new woodland will be one of the largest semi-urban planting schemes in the country.

“It forms part of six sites nationally celebrating 25 years of Trees for Cities, a campaign to increase woodland cover throughout the UK.

“And it contributes to a Forest of Bradford scheme which aims to boost cover in the Bradford district to that of the national average.

“The new woodland will offer opportunities for wider community involvement through tree planting, and grassland and natural flood management.”

The trees donated to Mr Grogan and his Commons colleagues were given through a partnership between the Woodland Trust, Sainsbury’s and ITV.

An ITV documentary, The Queen’s Green Planet, screened in April revealed her love of trees and featured the legacy project.

She spoke informally with Sir David Attenborough about a wide range of environmental issues, from conkers to climate change.

In support of the programme, the Woodland Trust provided 50,000 trees for viewers and the special commemorative packs for MPs.

Beccy Speight, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said: “We are delighted that so many MPs have decided to join us in our bid to plant trees as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.

“We all need trees. They are a cornerstone of our landscape and countryside, forming an essential and cherished part of our cultural identity.

“They are crucial in improving soil health and water quality, reducing carbon, trapping pollutants, slowing the flow of flood water, sheltering livestock, providing a home for wildlife and a space for us to breathe.

“I hope the residents of Keighley will enjoy watching the trees planted at Low Wood flourish as part of this wonderful legacy initiative.”

For more details about tree planting and the work of the trust, visit woodlandtrust.org.uk.