A 15-YEAR strategy championing the use of trees to tackle climate change and poor health was launched yesterday.

The Forestry Commission, working with the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber and Yorkshire Forward, have published a forestry strategy called The Value of Trees in our Changing Region.

It aims to increase tree cover and access to woodland near to where people live, create more woodlands to help reduce flood risks and improve air quality and encourage the use of wood as a renewable energy source.

The strategy also aims to protect ancient and native woodlands and improve skills and business expertise within the forestry sector.

It has been endorsed by English Nature, The National Trust, the Environment Agency, landowners, local authorities, forest industry organisations and conservation bodies.

Strategy co-ordinator Vince Carter said: "All the studies point to a strong link between personal well-being and spending time in natural environments, one of the reasons why the Forestry Commission instigated its Active Woods health campaign.

"A powerful alliance of organisations have come together to produce this strategy and establish clear objectives for the region. These are no empty words. Work to translate the vision into a grass-roots reality has already begun."

Felicity Everiss, regional director of Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "Trees and woodlands are important to all of us. They shape our landscape, clean our air, provide havens for wildlife and places to relax and have fun.

"They also give us a valuable timber resource. That puts them at the heart of planning for a sustainable future for the region and this strategy maps out the course."