STAFF from Worcester City Council braved the cold weather to help make the city greener.

The council’s managing director Duncan Sharkey joined council staff to plant 14 lime trees in Pitchcroft Park as part of a continued programme with the Trees for Cities charity, which works with communities to plant trees in city areas of greatest need.

Now in its second year, the programme saw the trees put down on Thursday to line the footpath and cycleways that surround the park – adding to 10 planted last year.

Mr Sharkey said: “We take trees’ presence for granted, but it is only through long- term planting programmes such as Trees for Cities that we can ensure future generations will be able to enjoy their natural beauty in and around the city too.

“The ground at Pitchcroft has recovered very well, given the recent flooding.”

Every tree planted at the site will have soil conditioner, watering tubes and cages built around them to protect them in their first five years until they are established.

Other planting projects around the city include 14 maple trees at Perdiswell Common, 10 trees along the footpath in Brickfields Park – with a further four around the park, two liquid amber trees in Laugherne Brook Nature Reserve, and 10 cherry trees and four hazel trees at Warndon Park.

This will be carried out by various community groups.