A TREE was planted by community leaders at a special event to honour the late Queen yesterday, October 12.

Students and staff at Weston College, as well as local dignitaries, were 'delighted' to be awarded a special tree from The Queen’s Green Canopy Campaign which will now stand tall 'as a message of hope, regeneration and optimism to the nation'.

The campaign is a national tree-planting initiative created to mark the Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year. Planting has been extended until March due to the monarch's recent death. 

Weston College joined more than 300 other organisations from across the UK that have received one of the offerings. They were gifted in a pot embossed with the late Queen's cypher.

At the South West Skills Campus, on Locking Road, Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Mrs Annie Maw presented the tree at a formal ceremony. 

College principal, Sir Paul Phillips, said: "This tree will serve as inspiration within our communities and encourage care for trees which already exist as part of our nation’s stunning landscape.

"It is an absolute privilege to support the Queen’s Green Canopy, helping to create a legacy to honour Her Majesty’s extraordinary service to her country and to her people."