FARMERS and landowners are being encouraged to plant woods in the North-East.

Over the past decade, the region has seen 13,000 acres of trees planted thanks to £6m of Forestry Commission grants.

Now more money is being offered to support high-quality schemes that meet key priorities, including broadening wildlife habitats, restoring derelict land and providing places for people to enjoy exercise.

However, the September 28 deadline for applications is rapidly approaching.

Colin Grayson, operations manager with the Forestry Commission, said: "There are scores of good reasons to create woodland and, in doing so you can improve the environment not just in your own lifetime, but for the generations that follow."

The region has 225,000 acres of woodland, mostly in Northumberland, which represents 12 per cent of the area, compared to the national average of 8.4 per cent.

To qualify, proposed woodlands must be at least 30 metres wide. Farmers may also be eligible for Farm Woodland Payments, which compensate for the loss of agricultural income from land planted with trees.

For more information call 01669-621591 (Northumberland and Tyne Valley) or 01388-488721 (Durham and Teesside).