PLANS are advancing to plant thousands of trees in a new Oxfordshire park.

After Cherwell District Council declared a climate emergency in July, it is ramping up its efforts to tackle the area's carbon footprint by planting 30,000 trees in a new woodland.

The trees, which will all be native English species, including oak, hazel, willow, hawthorn and pine, will be planted in Banbury Country Park and has been brought forward by two years, thanks to a partnership with local distribution company DCS.

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The company is investing £40,000 of funding for trees.

Conservative Councillor Barry Wood, leader of the council, said: “Bold action on climate change is needed to avoid the most extreme effects of global heating. This requires leadership and joined-up action from all sections of society.

“As trees grow, they absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, reducing the impact of carbon released through the burning of fossil fuels. The council has long held ambitions to plant more trees in Banbury Country Park, but this partnership with DCS has enabled us to act more quickly and be more ambitious."

The council will team up with local volunteers to plant all 30,000 trees in the coming months.

The park is set to officially open in 2022.

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Denys Shortt OBE, founder and CEO of DCS, said: “At DCS we are making a big effort to tackle the effects of climate change. Our aim is to be carbon neutral by 2030.

“We are delighted to be undertaking this project in partnership with Cherwell District Council where we have sponsored the planting of 30,000 trees to plant an entire woodland within the new Banbury Park.

“By working with a local council the trees can be enjoyed by the local community and our employees – it is a win-win. We hope other businesses around the UK will follow our lead.”