NATIONAL Tree Week was celebrated in Leominster with the presentation of Verdun Oak saplings to representatives of local organisations, charities, schools and councils.

Grown from acorns collected by the town's Brownies, the saplings will help to perpetuate the heritage of the Verdun Oaks which, speaker Bob Murdoch explained, were grown from acorns collected and planted all over Britain following the devastation of the Battle of Verdun as a commemoration to the soldiers who never came home.

The event, organised by Leominster in Bloom, included a performance by Earl Mortimer College's choir, and the reading of two poems written by the late Bob Ellis of Leominster.

The service was concluded with a procession to the Verdun Oak, which stands adjacent to the Priory Church, followed by a tree blessing conducted by the Reverend Mike Kneen and refreshments provided by the Leominster Women's Institute.