A TREE has been planted at an Aisholt church to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of All Saints Church was delighted to accept an offer from Merridge Women’s Institute to plant a crab apple tree in the churchyard to commemorate the occasion.

Peter Baker, PCC secretary, said: “The Queen is head of the Church of England so we think this was a fitting way to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee.

“There’s a small plaque at the bottom of the tree in the churchyard.

“The WI chose the location because it’s a focus point of the community.

“We manage the yard for conservation of the flowers and we also thought a crab apple tree would be fitting as it is a native species.”

The planting ceremony took place after the regular 11am Sunday service at the church and the Rev Stephen Morley led a prayer of blessing for the occasion in the churchyard.

Merridge WI President Pam Pontin presented the tree while WI and PCC member Sue Ebsary helped with the planting.