FOUR hundred pupils from 12 schools will be involved in the first planting of trees for the Forest of Burnley.

The youngsters will plant 254 specimen trees of differing varieties as the start of the project funded with a £1.8 million Millennium Commission grant.

Assisted by Burnley Ranger Service, the students will plant the trees in the run up to Christmas, starting next week.

The collection of unusual or special trees selected for their interest and suitability for sites throughout the borough will be planted at Bank Hall, Queen's Park, Sunderland Street, Jessie's Park, Kibble Bank, Holy Trinity School, Barden High school and Riverside, Padiham.

Schools will also be helping to plant woodland trees at various sites including St Hilda's High School, Sycamore Avenue, Calder Park and Fiery Wood, Padiham.

On November 23 and December 7, the public are invited to help Trees for Burnley in the replanting of Park Wood at Briercliffe.

The planting is only part of school involvement.

Forest of Burnley officers are giving presentations to schools on the importance of trees and woodlands.

Woodland at Burnley at three per cent of land area is well below the national and European average of ten and 22 per cent.

During the five year Forest of Burnley programme, pupils will help to double Burnley's tree and woodland cover.

The arboretum project starts on Tuesday with planting at Holy Trinity School.

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