RESIDENTS are being given the chance to sponsor a new tree as a council bids to plant over 160,000 trees in less than a decade.

Those living inside the remit of Eastleigh Borough Council are being offered the opportunity to sponsor a tree through the new Plant Eastleigh scheme.

Sponsorship costs £10 and comes with the option to attend one of two tree planting days at Itchen Valley Country Park on January 29 and February 12.

The council has the aim of having 160,000 more trees in the Borough by 2030 and says this new scheme is just one way it is aiming to achieve this.

This comes after the authority recently consulted on a new Trees and Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which is aimed at ensuring trees are fully considered by developers and that there is a net gain of trees on development sites.

Cabinet Lead for the Environment, Cllr Rupert Kyrle, said: “We're excited to give residents the opportunity to join us on our tree planting journey by offering them the chance to sponsor a new tree in Itchen Valley Country Park, one of the Borough’s most visited family destinations.

"This is just the start of our long-term plans to make Eastleigh a leafier place to live.

"In the coming months and years Plant Eastleigh plans to expand its list of planting locations, offer the opportunity to dedicate larger trees to mark an occasion (such as a birth or the passing of a loved one), and involve local businesses and community organisations in tree planting."

The trees being used as part of the new scheme will be whips from the council’s tree nursery in Horton Heathand will be planted alongside others to expand an area of native woodland in the country park.

As they grow, they are expected to provide habitats for wildlife.