Mid Sussex MP, Nicholas Soames is donating 18 trees this year for the enjoyment of local people in Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath via the Town Councils as a compensation for the carbon emissions from his constituency office and the work in the community of the Association.

Nicholas Soames said; “Like every modern office we obviously use heating, lighting and electric-powered machines such as computers and a fax which all create either directly or indirectly damage to the environment. I have therefore decided that whilst we obviously cannot stop using electricity and other carbon fuels in totality, we can at least try to do something positive for the environment and the local community. I am really pleased that the Town Clerks have accepted my donation of English trees on behalf of their Councils and communities and I will be liaising with them over their choice of locations in the Autumn and the timing of planting, which will obviously be affected by the current water shortage.”

Nicholas went on; “There are a host of websites which allow anyone to calculate their annual output or ‘carbon footprint’ and give advice on how to reduce emissions and it is worth looking at them.”

“I hope local people will take pleasure from these trees and I shall re-calculate my carbon footprint each year and make this an annual donation to the community on behalf of myself and the Mid Sussex Conservative Association.”

Notes

• 18 trees will be planted between Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath at sites to be determined with the Town Clerks.

• The trees will be donated by Nicholas personally

• Websites for calculating carbon footprint www.carbonneutral.com, www.carbontrust.org.uk