SOUTH Lakeland has lower than average tree coverage compared to the rest of England, new figures show.

Analysis conducted on behalf of Friends of the Earth by mapping experts Terra Sulis has identified lone and street trees, which were not previously captured.

It shows just 11.4% of South Lakeland is covered by trees.

In England, tree canopy cover stands at just 12.8%, of which only 10% can be attributed to woodland. Across the European Union, woodland cover rises to 38%.

The Government's current goal is to increase tree coverage to 16.5% by 2050, but climate charity Friends of the Earth said this is "inadequately low", and argued double the current figure would be more reasonable.

Meanwhile, 43% of neighbourhoods in England have less than 10% tree cover, while 84% have less than 20% coverage.

There are also huge regional differences – Surrey Heath has the most tree coverage at 36.1%, while South Holland in Lincolnshire has the least with just 2.2%.