Youngsters join national tree planting record attempt

BRANCHING OUT: Pupils at several city schools hope to get their names in the world record book for taking part in a mass tree-planting event.

Organised by the BBC as part of national tree week, Tree O'Clock is a world record attempt to plant the most trees in one hour.

Those taking part around the Tunstall area have been collecting their trees from the Focus DIY store in Reginald Mitchell Way.

Store manager Neil Whittington, who lives in Stafford, said: "We have been provided with saplings to give away for the record attempt.

"We gave around 20 trees to Mill Hill Primary School and others have been coming to us to get theirs too."

Those taking part will plant their tree between 11am and noon on Saturday, December 5 and then email a picture of the tree to the BBC's Breathing Places project.

Pictured are garden centre team leader Scott Davies with pupils, from left, Lewis Hansbury, aged seven; Kaitlyn Rigby, aged five; and Tyler Aitkin, aged five.

Picture: Phil Radcliffe