PEOPLE are being urged to help tackle climate change by dedicating a tree in a Dales woodland and also mark the 40th anniversary of National Tree Week.

The call comes in the wake of the meeting of heads of state in Paris for the United Nations Convention on Climate Change.

The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust say the tree sponsorship could also signify a special gift for Christmas or a birthday, or to remember the life of a loved one

The trust has planted 40 saplings, a mixture of species including oak, rowan and birch, to mark each year of National Tree Week.

The aim is to extend existing areas of plantation and staff hoped the trees would grow to become a "vibrant habitat to support a range of native wildlife species".

Chris Lodge, YDMT’s woodland officer, said: “This was once a wooded dale, so it has been very satisfying to plant new trees here to help return some of the land to natural woodland cover.

"I’d like to say a big thank you to our partners and the landowner Robert Brown for supporting this project, and to the many generous individuals and organisations who have donated and dedicated trees to make this work possible.

"The woodland, known as Longridge Wood, is located on the hillside between West Burton and Cray, and forms part of the Dales Woodland Restoration Programme – an initiative which aims to double the amount of native woodland cover across the Yorkshire Dales by 2020.

"The initiative is delivered and funded by a partnership including YDMT, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the Forestry Commission.

Pauline Buchanan Black, director-general of The Tree Council, said: “With 40 years of successful growth behind it, National Tree Week has become firmly rooted in the calendar.

"To mark the 40th anniversary of this important campaign, we want to celebrate Britain’s rich heritage of tree-planting and applaud the commitment of communities that really value their trees.”

To dedicate a tree, call YDMT on 015242 51002 or visit ydmt.org

All money raised will help to support ongoing efforts to restore woodland cover across the Yorkshire Dales, to reduce soil erosion, absorb greenhouse gases and create vibrant wildlife habitats.