Over the next decade 18 million ten trees will be planted in Glasgow and surrounding areas as part of a new urban ‘forest’ to tackle climate change.

The Clyde Climate Forest, which is part of the Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network, will stretch from South Lanarkshire to West Dunbartonshire and Inverclyde, increasing woodland cover in the region from 17% to 20%.

Planting will take place in urban streets, waste ground and vacant space.

Max Hislop, Head of Clyde Climate Forest, said: “The Clyde Climate Forest offers an opportunity to expand Glasgow City Region’s woodlands tackling climate change by improving the air we breathe while soaking up harmful co2 emissions.

“It will also help bring people closer to nature on their doorstep.”

Planting has already started withGlasgow City Council and the Green Action Trust creating new woodland at Cart and Kittoch by planting 40,000 trees to link Coulter’s Wood, Cathkin Braes and Cart and Kittoch woodland.

And at Coves Nature Reserve in Gourock, volunteers have planted more than 600 trees.