Leicester City Council (LCC) has announced that a tree-planting project is set to begin in attempt to make the city a cleaner and greener place to live and work.

It is part of the council's pledge to transplant 10,000 saplings by 2011, with fifty native British tree varieties set to be planted across the city. LCC's cabinet lead for the environment, Robert Wann, said: "Last year the council planted 1,500 trees towards it's target of 10,000. Trees enrich and improve the environment, help to tackle climate change and pollution, and make the city a nicer place to live in and visit."

The first of five tree-planting sessions to launch the scheme will be held on 26 November in the city's Braunstone Park. Planting sessions will also tie-in with National Tree Week between 26 November and 7 December.