SHREWSBURY is set to become a little greener.

Shrewsbury Town Council in partnership with Shropshire Council Highways and countryside and natural environment teams has secured a £5,500 grant from the Big Tree Plant scheme.

The funds will cover individual street trees across the town and groups of trees in green spaces or school grounds and recreation sites with public access.

This initial 12 month award leads on to years two to four which will then incorporate the rest of the county.

Over the four-year period the scheme will see more than £32,700 secured by the partnership.

Mike Pugh, technical officer for Shrewsbury Town Council, said: “These trees will benefit neighbourhoods in the long term. We will be looking for individuals or community groups to suggest planting sites for trees which they believe would add amenity value to the areas in which they live.”

The Big Tree Plant scheme is a government-sponsored campaign in England to promote the planting of one million trees in neighbourhoods where people live and work.

The campaign will run over four years from 2011 to 2015 and will distribute a total of £4.2m to community, civic and other non-profit groups.

Cllr Mal Price, portfolio holder for economic growth and prosperity at Shropshire Council, added: “The council recognises the importance of trees and appreciates the benefits they bring to the people, landscape and wildlife of Shrewsbury and across the county.

“We are delighted to receive the support of Big Tree Plant funding and look forward to planting more trees for the future.”