This Christmas Surrey County Council is asking residents to donate £3 to plant a new tree in Surrey.

Every year, thousands of us decorate real Christmas trees during the festive season. To support the environment, Surrey County Council is asking residents to donate £3 when buying a Christmas tree, which will be used to plant new trees locally.

Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, said: "Trees are such an important part of our environment, in terms of combating climate change, but also to enhance and enrich our wildlife and biodiversity. We'd like to encourage residents to support our campaign and donate to fund a new tree planted in Surrey."

Surrey County Council is working with Surrey Wildlife Trust for the appeal, which supports the planting of 1.2 million new trees in the county by 2030 – one for every resident. Trees visually enhance the environment, provide habitats for wildlife and absorb some of the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, making them a natural way to help tackle climate change.

Garden centre company Squire's will be promoting the appeal to customers at its 11 Surrey branches. Other participating retailers include Hans Christmas Andersen at Newlands Corner, Apps Court Farm, Ashtead Park Garden Centre, Buckland Nurseries and Mayfield Lavender.

This year, the start of the festive season coincides with National Tree Week, which runs from 28th November to 6th December. To support the week, Surrey County Council has given away 300 free trees and 240 hedge packs to 95 local schools across the county to be planted in their grounds to increase biodiversity and clean air around chool sites.