A total of 375,000 trees are to be planted across the county by Essex County Council to demonstrate its "commitment to climate change" reversal.

The trees will be planted across Essex over the next five years which the council said would capture 60,000 tonnes of carbon.

A grant funding of £250,000 to start a Climate Change Commission, along with a "million-pound" Essex Forest Initiative was also announced by the council.

The cross-party group will be made up of councillors and experts calling for Essex residents to get involved, the authority said.

Conservative council leader David Finch said: "The time has to come to actively demonstrate our commitment to climate change.

"Enough talking has been done, in order to have a future we must act in the present, and the Essex Forest Initiative is an immediate and tangible way in which we can show commitment to reducing our carbon footprint."

In a short video clip announcing the tree planting, Cllr Finch said: “I’m really excited on behalf of Essex County Council and all of our residents and future residents that this initiative will bring a about a zero CO2 Essex.”

The Commission will fund and support initiatives which look to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other waste, and promote sustainable transport, it was announced at a full council meeting.