Newcastle Airport has planted more than 40,000 new trees on its land, in an effort to improve air quality in the North East.

The new woodland areas - comprising 43,567 trees - will form part of the North East Community Forest (NECF) with funding provided by the scheme's Trees for Climate Grant.

The latest phase, finished last month, saw 17,000 trees planted to add 10.42 hectares of woodland, equivalent to around 14 football pitches.

Chief sustainability and communications officer, Alice Andreasen, said: "This woodland planting project will not only help us to improve the biodiversity on our land but will also help us move closer to our Net Zero Carbon 2035 goals by working to offset some of our emissions."

Lloyd Jones, forest manager at the NECF said: "Planting trees is always an enjoyable and rewarding experience and I’m delighted we have been able to work with Newcastle International Airport, Tilhill Forestry and other partners to deliver this phase of the project.

“In time these trees will help to turn the tide on biodiversity loss, improve air quality, reduce the risk of flooding, create new green spaces and habitats for birds and wildlife and help to tackle climate change."