OVER £7.5 million of Government funding has been awarded for woodland creation projects in the region.

White Rose Forest will use the funds to plant 400 hectares of trees – equivalent in size to 560 football pitches – across North and West Yorkshire between November and next March.

It will work with landowners, farmers and communities on the project.

Land managers can apply for up to 100 per cent funding to cover the cost of planting schemes.

And free support will be given.

Guy Thompson, programme director for White Rose Forest, says: "Interest from landowners and farmers in incorporating new woodland and hedgerows on their land has never been higher, and we are getting ready for a very busy planting season.

"Our team is here to provide free, expert support for all landowners and land managers to plan, fund and plant trees across North and West Yorkshire."

White Rose is among 13 community forests across England to be awarded Government funding as part of the Trees for Climate programme.

Support from the scheme during the 2021-22 planting season enabled White Rose Forest to plant over 150 hectares of new woodland.

For further information about White Rose Forest, go to whiteroseforest.org.