YOUNG people are branching out to make Worcestershire greener.

The county falls below the national average when it comes to tree cover — having 9.7 per cent tree cover compared to 13 per cent nationally and 44 per cent around Europe.

This week 3,500 tree packs have been delivered to schools and community groups throughout the UK as part of the Woodland Trust’s Free Trees scheme, sponsored by Sainsbury’s, IKEA, Yorkshire Tea and People’s Postcode Lottery.

John Tucker, the Woodland Trust’s woodland creation director, said: “It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm for the free tree packs. It takes just 10 years for trees to grow well above head-height, so communities could be enjoying the rewards sooner than you'd think, as well as creating a lasting, living legacy for future generations.

“Currently the UK has significantly less woodland cover than the rest of Europe. Communities’ efforts to plant in their own localities to benefit the people who live there is admirable and helps us work toward our target of doubling native woodland cover.”

Some groups have chosen to plant their trees to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

To find out more or to claim a pack, visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetrees or email communitytrees@woodlandtrust.org.uk before September 3.