BOLTON MP Sir Davis Crausby has signed a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for him to support the Northern Forest scheme which began with tree planting on moorland near the town.

The cultivation of 28,000 saplings at the Smithills Estate to replace those destroyed by last year's Winter Hill fires was one of the acts to create the new woodland spanning 120 miles from Manchester to Hull.

Sir David is one of 120 Northern MPs and local leaders to sign the letter.

He said: “I am proud to support the plans for the Northern Forest as it will help to tackle climate change and create thriving natural habitats that will benefit us all for generations to come. I hope that the Prime Minister will listen and back this project.”