'IT'S time for change' to get rid of plastic tubes in woodlands across the region say the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

They are asking for backing to get money from a European fund to remove old tree guards which are littering rural areas and trial new alternatives.

David Sharrod, Chief Executive, said: "Three billion trees must be planted by 2050 to counteract Britain’s contribution to climate change. We know plastic guards protect saplings, but we do not want three billion plastic tubes littering our environment and damaging ecosystems.

"It’s time for change. We want to plant plastic free trees and return woodlands to their natural state.

"We will remove and recycle redundant plastic tubes and find a solution to plastic in our woodlands. We urge everyone who wants to create plastic free woodlands in the Dales and surrounding areas to vote for this project. It will not only benefit the local environment, but nationally lead the debate on plastic usage."

To vote, www.outdoorconservation.eu/project-voting-category.cfm?catid=5 (YDMT)