HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to contribute to a tree planting and woodland creation programme.

All the aluminium foil and cans people recycle in North Yorkshire will count towards the programme, which has been organised by the UK Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro), in association with local councils.

More than 35,000 native trees will be planted in woodlands, parks and private gardens throughout the UK in the autumn.

Local authorities in North Yorkshire and York have registered for the scheme, and a tree will be planted locally for each tonne of aluminium recycled.

Yorwaste, which collects and recycles aluminium from household waste centres and kerbside collection schemes across the county, said 100 tonnes of aluminium cans were recycled each year in North Yorkshire.

This was the same weight as 20 double-decker buses and would would result in 100 trees being planted.

Recycling manager John Miller said: "By recycling cans, people will directly be helping to improve the environment, and on behalf of the local authorities, I would like to encourage every resident to take part in this important scheme."