Schools across east London and Essex have been urged to apply for free trees to transform their grounds and local communities.

The Woodland Trust is offering free tree packs to all primary schools in the region after a successful pilot of the programme saw 1,290 trees planted in Greater London and another 1,470 in Essex.

The initiative is being funded by DEFRA, as part of plan to encourage to connect with nature and make their school grounds and neighbourhoods greener.

Schools in London, for whom green space may be in short supply, will also be given help finding somewhere else to plant trees if there is not room on school grounds.

Beccy Speight, chief executive of The Woodland Trust said: “These children might never otherwise get a chance to plant a tree, and that’s vitally important.

“We know from our research it’s a memory they'll treasure for years to come, and often starts their relationship off with the natural world and all the benefits that brings.

“This scheme offers schools which have found it hard in the past, a new way to plant trees, and bring an oasis of green into their community.”

The scheme is open to over 7000 state funded primary schools in England.

To receive packs of saplings in time for planting this autumn, schools need to apply to the Woodland Trust by September 9.

To apply, visit: woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetrees.