Politicians preparing their manifestos for the looming general election are being asked to include pledges for the re-planting of woods and forests four times the size of London.

The demand comes from the Woodland Trust charity, which although it manages more than 1,000 woodlands in Britain, says that the country has the lowest expanse of tree cover of any major European nation.

The trust’s own election manifesto is calling for this major tree-planting operation to double the existing woodland over the next 50 years. Says campaign head Nikki Williams:

“There is no hiding from the scale of this challenge, and we need the public’s continued support to put it on the election agenda. Anyone who wants to add to the campaign can do so by using the online widget on the Trust’s website which allows the public to contact their local candidates.”

Anyone wishing to add their name to this campaign can do so at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk