Schools in Brent are being urged to sign up for a free tree as 20,000 are up for delivery to help fight pollution in the capital.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has announced a new partnership with Unilever where 20,000 trees will be offered free to London’s schools.

Mr Johnson said: “London is one of the greenest, leafiest cities on the planet and as this survey proves, our canopy does a ‘tree mendous’ job of lowering pollution, alleviating flood water and boosting our environment. I encourage as many schools as possible to sign up for a great array of free foliage.”

The trees are provided by Woodland Trust which will be distributed for planting from March 7-11 next year.

These packs of trees come in a variety of sizes and themes to suit different spaces. Schools can choose from packs of 30, 105 or 420 trees.

Charlotte Carroll, Unilever UK sustainability and communications director, said: “Trees are one of the most important defences in the fight against climate change and at Unilever we’re working on this important issue through our brightFuture movement.

“We hope this partnership will help Londoners reconnect with their love of trees.

She added: “We are a founding signatory of the New York Declaration on Forests and with the UN Climate Conference, COP21 later this month, now is the time to engage in the importance of trees in our everyday lives.”

Applications can be made through the Woodland Trust website. Applications close January 8.