MORE than 200 leafy new additions have been donated to Worcester's parks as part of the mayor's quest to plant more trees in the city.

Over the next two years, First Worcester buses will donate 230 trees to help Councillor Roger Knight reach his target of planting 2,000 saplings in the city.

Staff from the company have already rolled up their sleeves to bed in rare, ornamental foxglove saplings at Cripplegate Park.

Nigel Eggleton, managing director for First Worcester, said: "As part of our commitment to improving bus provision in and around the city of Worcester, we are also committed to the environmental impact and making our green spaces more attractive and enjoyable for residents and visitors to the city.

"We have teamed up with the City Council to provide a variety of tree species to be located at Cripplegate Park and other city centre locations to improve the appearance and encourage nature into these areas.

"We are sponsoring the initiative with a £3,800 investment to plant the trees over the next two years."

Oak, birch, golden larch, Japanese maple, Indian Bean, elm, rowan, apple and pear trees will be planted along the riverside and in Cripplegate, Battenhall, Fort Royal and Gheluvelt Parks.

Cllr Knight said: "I'm delighted that First Worcester has made such a positive commitment to help plant more trees in the city.

"The foxglove tree is one of my favourites, so I’m particularly pleased that it will now be planted in Cripplegate Park.

"I have made a pledge to plant 2,000 more trees in Worcester, so that our green open spaces can be enhanced and enjoyed by many future generations."

Planting trees is just one part of First Worcester's bid to become more environmentally friendly, as it has also introduced 13 new buses with Euro 6 engines which will have a positive impact on air quality in the city.