YORK has been awarded 'Champion City' status for the city's efforts in protecting green spaces.

The Queen's Green Canopy (QGC), a tree planting initiative to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee in 2022 to encourage cities, villages, businesses, scout groups, and individuals to plant trees during the planting season of October to March 2022.

The QGC launched their Champion City initiative to highlight the UK cities which have ensured that woodlands are a central part of their plans for green spaces - in which York is one of them.

Councillor Keith Aspden, leader of the City of York Council said: "Here in York we are proud to be awarded Champion City status and to expand our tree canopy to support the local environment.

"We're delighted that the location for the Queen's Green Canopy iconic planting, early next year, will be York Community Woodland, and we look forward to sharing details of how residents can get involved nearer the time, to celebrate the jubilee and plant more trees across the city."

Seventy ancient woodlands will be dedicated to celebrate the 70 years of the Queen's reign.

QGC 's tree planting initiative will begin again in October 2022 till the end of the Jubilee year.