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Thousands of saplings are being given away across the West Midlands as part of a campaign to encourage people to plant them in community spaces.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Woodland Trust's Virtual Forest initiative has so far seen almost 600,000 trees planted.

Tree packs can be collected from various locations to mark National Tree Week, which begins on Saturday.

It is hoped volunteers will plant then in gardens, schools and other spaces.

WMCA said it had been encouraging residents and businesses to register trees they have planted on the Virtual Forest website since January 2020.

The "forest" covers Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Warwickshire and Shropshire.

Planting new trees is one of the priorities of the West Midlands Natural Environment Plan, which sets out to increase local tree cover from its current 1.5% to 13% and contributes to the aim of a carbon net zero region within the next two decades, WMCA said.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: "Since we launched our Virtual Forest initiative just three years ago, nearly 600,000 trees have been planted right across our region.

"That's a remarkable number and I want to extend my thanks to everyone who played a part in that."

Councillor John Cotton, WMCA portfolio lead for environment and energy, and leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "Local authorities are showing their commitment to tree planting and in Birmingham we are proud to be one of 170 Tree Cities designated by the United Nations.

"Residents can make their own contribution by taking advantage of the WMCA's tree giveaway to ensure our tree-planting strategy continues to have a positive impact."

Tree packs are available from the ThinkTank in Birmingham from 11:00 GMT on 2 December and Friar Park Millennium Centre in Wednesbury on 9 December.

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