THE North-East's first strategy for trees and woodlands will be launched today.

The strategy lays out plans to increase the use of trees over the next 20 years.

One of its targets is to improve the economy of rural areas by helping industries which use timber.

As part of that aim, clusters of businesses which use timber could be created near existing companies, such as the Egger plant in Hexham, Northumberland.

These industries already contribute £450m to the regional economy and the strategy says this could be expanded by nearly 20 per cent, bringing more jobs to the area.

The strategy also sees the development of facilities which could encourage tourism, such as the £170,000 bike trails project currently under way in Hamsterley Forest, County Durham.

The strategy also proposes the creation of 25,000 acres of woodland on brownfield and urban fringe sites over the next 20 years to improve the environment and to provide recreation areas where people can exercise.

It also says that greater use of woodlands should be made to manage climate change, by planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide and also to help reduce the likelihood of flooding in at-risk areas.

Jonathan Blackie, the regional director of the Government Office for the North-East, said: "By managing our woodlands sustainably, we can achieve a wide range of outcomes.

"They can provide a recreational facility, wildlife habitats, educational resources and a workplace.

"At the same time, trees can improve air quality, screen noise, reduce flood risk, improve the landscape and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

"Crucially, we have already started to pull together these stands and the first year's delivery plan is being published jointly with the strategy."