BARROW has received a tree-mendous boost of £228,000 to make 'vital' environmental improvements.

Cumbria County Council has been successful in its application to the Forestry Commission for the Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF), securing the full amount for allocation of £228,000.

The LATF is part of the Government’s Nature for Climate Fund and is aimed at establishing more trees in non-woodland settings.

Half of the funding secured will be match-funded by the council’s Environment Fund.

Barrow Local Committee will now be working with its communities and councils at a local level to make full use of the funding.

Cllr Kevin Hamilton, chair of Barrow Local Committee, said: “We’re delighted to have received the maximum allocation of funding for vital environmental improvements in Barrow. This funding is important to not only support and protect the environment but improve the health and wellbeing of people in our communities both mentally and physically by providing greener spaces.

“This programme will allow us to replace the trees that are taken down for footway repairs. We look forward to working with our communities and councils at a local level and making the best possible use of this funding.”