A sculpture trail that carves a path through a beauty spot near Horndean has a tree-mendous addition.

Four spectacular tree sculptures are part of the “imaginative and engaging” trail around Catherington Lith Local Nature Reserve.

The pieces carved by renowned Farnham artist Michael Jones were funded by East Hampshire District Council through their wide-reaching Grow Up! programme.

The trail is part of the Horndean Green Trail and Heritage Network overseen by the parish council (HPC) to link up sites of interest and beauty around its villages.

Some £35,000 was allocated by EHDC from the Rural Grant scheme to help HPC deliver this stage of the project, with funding also going to footpath improvements and interpretation boards.

Wildlife-friendly installations like owl boxes and insect hotels have also been improved with much of the work being carried out by local resident volunteer groups.

“The Sculpture Trail is a superb start for the Horndean Green Trail & Heritage Network Project,” said Cllr Andrew Redding, HPC chairman.

“It will be a wonderful and enduring environmental legacy that current and future residents of Horndean can be proud of.”

The district council also secured a £20,000 grant from their county counterparts to fund a programme a public engagement looking into walking and cycling in the area and how routes and links can be improved.

Cllr Robert Mocatta, EHDC Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Prosperity, called the new sculptures “absolutely fantastic”.

He added: “This project is all about getting people outside, out of their cars, and enjoying the countryside.

“But it’s easy to say that – if there’s no infrastructure in place then people can’t do it.

“That’s why we have helped to fund this fantastic green trail and that’s why we will engage with local people to find out what would encourage them to travel more actively.”