WIRRAL's mayor has made his contribution to the growth of woodland in Bidston by planting a red oak today.

Steve Foulkes became the fifth mayor to plant a tree of his choice into Wirral's newest woodland in Lennox Lane.

By the end of the 20-year project, around 10,000 trees will have been planted in the area known as Mayor's Wood. It is the result of partnership with the Vocational Collage, Birkenhead Lions and the Woodland Trust.

The aim is to create what project leader, Cllr Jim Crabtree, called a 'living wall' to lessen the impact of traffic noise on nearby residents.

There are just over 2,000 trees planted to date and Cllr Foulkes chose to Quecus Rubra which is a red oak.

Councillor Jim Crabtree, who represents Birkenhead North ward, told the Globe: "Cllr Foulkes has chosen to plant an oak. It's pretty hard to get any oaks that are big enough or small enough to plant without any machinery.

"We got him a red oak, even though he's a 'Blue'. The leaves of the tree turn a vivid red during autumn."

Cllr Crabtree, who is also president of Birkenhead Lions and a horticultural lecturer at Wirral Vocational College in Seacombe, continued: "The aim of the project is to create a woodland which isn't like any other in Wirral. It's going to be nice and seasonal.

"It's going to be a living wall to stop the noise of traffic for residents."

Mayor Foulkes said: "It's an honour to be the fifth mayor to plant a tree here and a great initiaitive by Jim and his team at the vocational college.

"It's a legacy. Hopefully, in 100 years', the name of Mayor's Wood will be a regular feature.

"I played football on this field as a kid, coming from the north end of Birkenhead, but this field is really attractive.

"It is one of our main gateways into Wirral, with developments, locallly, and is a real lovely site. Hopefully the trees will do their bit for nature.

"It's an honour and a privilege, as mayor, to put my mark by putting my tree in mayor's wood."