Nearly 3,000 free trees have been planted across Worcestershire since March as part of an environmental scheme.

The initiative, run by the Woodland Trust, the UK's largest woodland conservation charity, saw 26,535 saplings planted across the West Midlands, and 2,985 in Worcestershire, in efforts to combat the climate and nature crisis.

The trust has given away 15 million saplings through its free trees scheme since it launched in 2010, averaging over a million trees a year.

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365,985 trees were sent out across the UK in the March shipment.

The trust is urging people across the region to utilise the "no-catch" scheme while they can.

Woodland Trust senior project lead, Steve Shill, said: "Planting trees is such a simple action, but the collective impact can make a huge difference to people and the planet.

“Trees help nature, combat flooding, provide shelter and reduce pollution. And they unite communities, inspire pride and bring huge benefits for mental wellbeing.

“It’s a great way for schoolchildren and all sorts of community groups – from sports clubs to faith groups – to learn about the environment and do their bit.

“Every school should have trees, but if you don’t have space to plant, don’t worry – you can still get involved in planting.

"Why not partner with a local community group or council to plant trees in a public space?"

To secure saplings for the scheduled September delivery, the public is encouraged to fill in an online form on the charity's official website (https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/).

The trust delivers hundreds of thousands of free trees, twice a year in spring and autumn, through funding from lead partners including Sainsbury's, Lloyds Bank, OVO, Bank of Scotland and Sofology.

The tree packs come in various quantities and varieties appropriate for their intended use – from hedging, copses, for wildlife or wild harvest.

Mr Shill added: "As ever, the support and generosity of our funders is crucial; we simply couldn’t do this without them.

"The help each and every one of them provides is hugely appreciated and ensures we can provide and deliver our saplings in such huge numbers."