PRIME Minister Tony Blair has praised England's community forests, among them Red Rose Forest, which covers areas of Bury, Radcliffe and Prestwich.

The North West is home to England's largest community forests, including Red Rose, which covers 300sq miles of Greater Manchester.

Mr Blair complemented the forests for contributing towards the delivery of the Government's economic, social and environmental agenda.

Mr Blair said: "Since their inception five years ago, community forests have played a key role in revitalising the areas around many of England's towns and cities. They have also delivered a successful balance of economic, social and environmental benefits to local communities.

"Because of this initiative, half of England's population now live in, or within easy reach of, a community forest."

It also comes on the day when The Mersey and Red Rose Forests jointly announced that 2,000 hectares of trees have now been planted in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and North Cheshire - an area the size of the whole of St Helens and representing a 30 per cent increase in the area's tree cover.

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