Pupils from nine Hackney schools have helped plant over 1,000 native trees in an Olympics-inspired initiative.

The third year of Trees for the Hosts programme saw 645 students from 20 schools from the six London 2012 host boroughs improve their grounds for wildlife.

They trees not only provide shelter and food for wildlife but will also help offset the effects of climate change.

Conservation charity London Wildlife Trust put on the tree planting sessions with funding from the government’s Forestry Commission and the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson who has pledged to plant 10,000 new street trees across the capital by 2012.

Mr Johnson said: “Trees are a vital addition to our communities helping to make them a more pleasant place to live, work and play.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have been able to help these green-fingered pupils in boroughs closest to the Olympic Park to plant these fantastic new trees.”

Participating Hackney schools included B Six sixth form college, Harrington Hill Primary School, Hackney Free Secondary School, St Dominics Primary School, Yesodey Hatorah Secondary School, Princess May Primary School, Lauriston Primary School, St John the Baptist Primary School and Skinners Academy.