North East Lincolnshire Council has announced its first ever tree strategy.

The new strategy will seek to protect trees already in the council's care in addition to planting new trees.

The council sees the strategy as a method of tackling climate change as well as to provide various health benefits for its residents.

The strategy was developed in partnership with EQUANS and will seek to improve tree canopy coverage in public spaces.

The current tree canopy coverage in North East Lincolnshire is estimated to sit at 10.5%. This is below the national average of 15.8%.

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Tree canopy coverage within the borough’s Wards, including Yarborough, Park and Heneage, are above the national average, but some of the Wards along the coast have tree canopy cover as low as 2% to 7.6%.

Commenting on the new strategy, Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the Council, said: "Our environment is unique, that’s why we’re looking after it by cutting our carbon emissions and giving back to nature.

"We want everyone in North East Lincolnshire to benefit from a green economy and high-quality environment.

"Our tree strategy is an ambitious plan that can be used as a framework for everyone who has a role to play in protecting and increasing tree cover in the borough.

"It gives a strategic approach to making sure that everyone gains from the environmental and health benefits that trees give us."