A HUDDERSFIELD school is branching out into tree planting.

Kids at Crow Lane Junior and Infant in Milnsbridge planted apple, pear and cherry saplings on school grounds.

The activity aimed to teach children about trees and their benefits.

Kirklees Council forestry spokeswoman Julian Faulkner said: "Trees bring many advantages to our neighbourhoods, including reducing pollution and noise levels, as well as being lovely to look at."

Yesterday's planting was funded by the Big Lottery's Allotments for Health and Wellbeing programme.

Thanks to the scheme, Kirklees Council is spending more than £700,000 between 2004 and next year to upgrade green spaces.

Projects include improving the towpath along the River Colne and developing allotments like Sycamore Avenue in Golcar.

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