Otley'S Lord Mayor of Leeds is challenging children to take root in the millennium by planting a tree on the Chevin, writes Lisa Adlam.

Councillor Graham Kirkland and his wife, Dr Joan, (above) led by example this week when they planted seven trees to mark his year in office.

Each one represents the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress's family - themselves, their son Jonathan, daughter Susan, son-in-law Cliff, grandson Joshua and a second grandchild due at the turn of the year.

Coun Kirkland said: "Planting trees is an ideal way for young people in Otley to get involved in the millennium, and I can make some money available to assist in that.

"Otley is a place very close to my heart and it is appropriate that the trees will be planted on the Chevin.

"It's also very much in keeping with Leeds City Council's desire to promote green issues and our status as 'environment city'."

Coun Kirkland said this week he wanted to plant 1,000 trees - one for each primary school child in Otley and Wharfedale - costing some £10,000.

"I think that would be a very good investment for the 21st century, particularly as they will still be there in the year 2100 and even 2200," he said.

And he issued the whole town with a second challenge - to improve the landmark White House on the Chevin in time for the year 2000.

"It has been one of Otley's main landmarks for the last 20 years but it really needs decorating now," he said.

"It would be good if we could make a community effort to paint it white again for the millennium and I would be looking for volunteers to help out and for people to donate paint."

Coun Kirkland said the work had been estimated at taking around 124 hours and needing £124-worth of material. People who want to lend a hand should contact Coun Kirkland through the Lord Mayor's office on (0113) 2474055.

Any schools interested in taking up the Lord Mayor's millennium tree challenge, for which ward-based money could be available, should contact the Otley Chevin rangers on (01943) 465023.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.