Every child at school in North Weald could have a tree planted for them as part of an environmental project.

North Weald Bassett Parish Council is looking to create a woodland of between 2,000 and 4,000 trees at Weald Common.

Parish council chairman Cllr Alan Buckley told last Tuesday's environmental committee the project would be the biggest tree planting initiative carried out in the district.

He said: "We are making a landmark move."

Epping Forest Guardian:

The parish council has the idea of linking the planting scheme with next year's Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Each local school child could be allocated a tree, possibly bearing their name, and given a certificate with every tree plotted on a commemorative map.

Cllr Andy Tyler said: "This is probably the best thing this parish council could do for generations."

The council hopes to receive grant funding through the Essex Tree Initiative, and also provide some funding itself, to meet the cost of the project.

The trees would be planted on a 2.09-hectare area of land off the access road from the North Weald Village Hall car park to the former Ongar Radio Station site.

Cllr Tyler added: "It's a great way engaging with the school.

"I think it's a brilliant idea and would be a great way to engage the children at the school about what trees they would like to see planted there."

The committee agreed to move forward with the idea.