A MAIN thoroughfare into a busy town is to become a tree-lined lung for a greener environment.

A total of 49 cherry blossom trees - including different varieties - are being planted on the road by Middlesbrough Council as part of wider environmental improvements in the town.

The town was named a "Tree City of the World" earlier this year for its commitment to urban forestry and a 14-point plan has been approved by the authority to further the town's green agenda.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: "The idea came from a really hot night when I was on College Road with Cllr Graham Wilson chatting to residents and we came up with the idea."

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"Trees are brilliant, they look fantastic, they're great for mental health and every single mature tree absorbs 20 kilos of carbon from the air.

"We're going to do this all over the town, we're going to do great things to make the town look and feel better all over Middlesbrough."

Cllr Graham Wilson said: "I looked at College Road and thought to myself ‘what an ideal road for a line of trees'.

"I spoke to some residents they had similar thoughts so I contacted the Mayor and now here we have a road with a line of cherry blossom trees.

"When they are in bloom are brilliant and colourful and will brighten College Road up so long as they left to grow and not damaged."

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