SIX TREES have been planted in Petersfield to commemorate the Queen’s forthcoming 90th birthday.

An English oak and two Canadian red oaks were planted in a corner of the Love Lane playing fields, and three cherry trees were placed on the edge of the field alongside Moggs Mead.

They were grown at Hilliers Nursery in Liss for Petersfield Town Council on behalf of the town, and mark Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday on April 21.

Regeneration Services of Froxfield supplied the men and machines to carry out the task. Petersfield Mayor, Cllr Lesley Farrow said: “They were all planted to honour the Queen’s birthday, but the English oak in particular is a good symbol to commemorate the day.”

The Queen was born at 2.40am on April 21, 1926, at Bruton Street in London, and was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York.

At the time she was third in line for the throne, and not expected to become Queen.

On January 20, 1936, her uncle was crowned King Edward VIII but abdicated on December 11. With a reign of just 326 days, he was one of the shortest-reigning monarchs in British history.

Elizabeth’s father the Duke of York became King George VI, but he died on February 6, 1952, and she was then crowned Queen.

Last year she became the longest serving monarch in British history, passing the 64 year record of her grandmother, Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901.

As part of the national celebrations around her 90th birthday, March 4-6 has been designated ‘Clear up for the Queen’ litter picking weekend.

East Hampshire District Council is encouraging residents to join in.

A group of Froxfield residents is one of the first to announce a clear up day to mark the occasion.

Cllr Julie Butler said: “This is a nationwide scheme but we are right behind it. We all know that the district is one of the nicest places in the country, but there are always little corners that need a bit of extra attention.”

For details about the clean up, visit www.cleanforthequeen.co.uk