THE second year of a three-year community tree programme has been launched by BAA Stansted, owner and operator of Stansted Airport.

A total of £1,000 is being given for new trees and shrubs for every one million passengers who use the airport each year.

BAA Stansted aims to support the planting of more than 2,500 trees and shrubs during the programme, in partnership with Harlow, East Hertfordshire and Uttlesford district councils.

For the 2000-2001 planting season, £10,000 representing the ten million passsengers served over the 12 months to the end of last March has been shared between the three councils, and plans are well advanced to plant trees in Bishop's Stortford and Harlow, and in villages around the airport in the Uttlesford district.

The councils are expected to involve the community in the planning and planting of the trees.

Last year the airport gave £8,000 and more than 1,000 trees and shrubs were planted.

The final year is expected to see a £12,000 contribution based on the current 12m passengers forecast bringing the programme's total to £30,000.