Green-fingered pupils from Watling Lower School, Dunstable, have improved the environment by planting trees for National Tree Week.
Dunstable Mayor John Chatterley also picked up a shovel to help plant 10 trees to improve habitats for wildlife as well as the view from the classrooms.
With the help of a grant from The Tree Council, they planted a mixture of native British species which are good for wildlife, providing natural habitats for native species.
One of the trees – a bird cherry – has been given to the school as part of the Jubilee Diamond Tree Project.
Pauline Buchanan Black of the Tree Council said: “We are delighted that Watling decided to take positive action to improve their view and, in doing so, to show why trees are important to the environment and to people.
“We still need more trees to counterbalance the losses in both urban and rural areas – a declining tree population is not good for people or wildlife.
Headteacher Sue Penglase said: “We will make sure that these trees thrive and survive and that our grounds continue to improve and be enjoyed by wildlife and our community.”
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first Big Tree Plant in 1973.
Watling Lower School, in Bull Pond Lane, is one of 18 schools and 13 community groups to share in grants totalling more than £20,000.
> For more information about the scheme, visit www.treecouncil.org.uk.