MORE than 1,600 trees are being planted across the city this winter in a bid to improve the air quality for future generations.

Bus company First Worcester has donated £3,800 to a two-year tree planting project, which saw more than 2,200 saplings bedded in around city parks during 2016.

Last week, First bus drivers planted two new cherry trees and a mountain ash in Fort Royal Park, off London Road.

The transport company is working with Worcester City Council and charity Trees for Cities to ensure the city remains green for years to come.

Sarah East, general manager for First Worcester, said: “As well as running buses in Worcester, we are also committed to the local environment and want to help improve the greener spaces we have around the city.

“We were at Fort Royal Park on Wednesday last week, rolling out the second phase of tree planting, alongside our partners from Worcester City Council.

“I am sure the new trees being planted will be well received by local people and visitors alike.”

Other tree varieties donated by First include oak, birch, golden Larch, Japanese maple, Indian Bean, elm, rowan, foxglove, maidenhair, apple and pear trees.

These have been planted along the riverside and in Cripplegate, Battenhall and Gheluvelt Parks.

The project adds to the work done by Councillor Roger Knight, who pledged to plant 2,000 trees during his tenure as city mayor from 2015 to 2016.

Speaking last year, Cllr Knight said: ““I’m delighted that First Worcester has made such a positive commitment to help plant more trees in the city.”

First is also trying to improve air quality in the city by introducing 13 new buses into its fleet which run on eco-friendly Euro 6 engines.

According to First, tests show running eight Euro 6 buses produces the same amount of exhaust emissions as using just one with a Euro 5 engine.

Last October the Worcester News revealed that Dolday, in the city centre, had illegal levels of air pollution - and breached the limit set by the EU.

At the time, Councillor Adrian Gregson, the leader of Worcester City Council, voiced his concern over air quality and said more needed to be done to tackle congestion through the city centre.