East Hampshire District Council has joined public organisations up and down the country by planting a tree for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Council chairman Cllr Adam Carew planted a midland hawthorn in Liss as part of a nationwide tribute to the Queen.

The event was part of a mass planting on Friday, March 11, the 70th day of the 70th year since her accession.

The council has also pledged to see 120,000 trees planted in the district, one for every resident.

Cllr Carew said: “This is a wonderful tribute to the Queen, our nation’s longest-serving monarch.

“This tree will stand for years to come in recognition of her enduring and inspirational reign.

“This type of hawthorn also boasts a spectacular pink blossom which will bring colour and vivacity to the area and joy to the local residents.”

The tree, from Griffin Nurseries, in Milland, has been planted in Upper Mount, in Liss. It replaces a tree that was removed after sustaining damage during Storm Eunice.

The planting is part of The Queen’s Green Canopy project, to plant trees during this celebratory year, and EHDC’s own initiative to see 120,000 trees planted in East Hampshire.

The council offers advice on where to plant, which trees to buy and where to get them safely.

So far EHDC has helped the district plant more than 39,000 trees, with a further 10,000 due to go in the ground before the season is over.