A BOROUGH branded one of the the North-West’s ‘least climate-friendly’ in October has responded by joining a tree-planting initiative.

Ribble Valley Council came joint bottom of a Friends of the Earth table of eco-concious local authorities in the region in October.

Now its Mayor Cllr Stella Brunskill has been out planting crimson kings trees at Clitheroe Castle and Towneley Gardens, Longridge, as part of the Woodland Trust’s Big Climate Fightback.

The scheme aims to see 250,000 trees planted in the UK by the end of today.

Cllr Brunskill said: “Trees are on the frontline of the fight against climate change: they absorb carbon dioxide, one of the principle greenhouse gases; provide oxygen, cool our cities, create havens for wildlife and offer opportunities to engage with the natural world.

“We are delighted to support the Big Climate Fightback.”

Crimson kings are deciduous trees, with large five-lobed purple and crimson leaves.

In 2014, the council planted a dove tree in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle oaks in each of the borough’s 40 parishes to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.