Thousands of trees including oaks are to be planted in Slough - thanks to a half a million pound grant from the Government, writes James Bagley.

Residents will see 9,051 saplings planted thanks to the gift from the Forestry Commission, part of a plan to facilitate the planting of a million trees by 2022 in urban areas.

The money will also be used to cultivate the trees over the next four years.

Slough Borough Council was just one of 13 to receive a grant as part of the Urban Tree Challenge Fund, set up to tackle the global climate emergency.

The project will lead to collaborations with community groups and residents, planting days, climate change workshops, digital workshops and digital monitoring of what will be known as Urban Forest sectors.

Some will be used as a leisure base for activities like yoga while others will be used by school children as part of their education syllabus.

Godolphin Recreation Ground, Farnham Lane, Scafell Park, Harvey Park and Faraday Recreation Ground will be the first five areas in the Slough borough where planting will take place.

Councillor Rob Anderson, cabinet member for transport and environmental services, said: “Our aim is to provide an Urban Forest which is high in specification, functional in its structure, diverse in its character and easily accessible for residents.

“The tree planting across the majority of wards across the borough will have a positive affect on our air quality on personal health and wellbeing among other benefits to the environment.

“Not only will the trees create a lovely physical environment but we will be able to see first-hand how the Urban Forest contributes positively to carbon sequestration in the borough.”