STAFF from a Powys garden centre have visited local schools and towns to donate and plant trees to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Members of the award-winning, family-run Old Railway Line Garden Centre team visited five local primary schools, as well as two towns. Pupils and members of the community met the team, receiving large, native, mountain ash trees and plaques to celebrate jubilee, which will be celebrated in June, as part of a national tree planting initiative.

The Queen’s Green Canopy is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, which invites people from across the UK to plant a tree for the jubilee.

Operations director Katie Eckley said: “We really enjoyed visiting five cluster primary schools as well as community spaces in Talgarth and Hay to plant a tree to mark the Queen’s Jubilee year.

“The plant a tree for the jubilee initiative is an exciting one which we hope lots of local people get involved with. It’s great to commemorate such a big event as well as enjoying the benefits of planting a tree in your garden.”

Staff from the thriving garden centre, located in Three Cocks, near Llyswen, visited pupils at Clyro Church in Wales Primary School, Hay-on-Wye Primary School, Llangorse Church in Wales Primary School, Archdeacon Griffiths Church in Wales Primary School in Lyswen, and Ysgol y Mynydd Du, in Talgarth, as well as Grow for Talgarth and Hay Town Council.

“We chose the native mountain ash tree as they will add lots of seasonal interest to the schools and towns they’ve been planted,” added Katie.

“They are great for wildlife with flowers for bees and berries for birds. The autumn colour will also be a great feature to be enjoyed for years to come.

“Trees are so important to improve air quality, preserve soil and supporting wildlife. This is a perfect initiative to do something positive for the environment as well as adding a feature to your outdoor space. With so many types of trees to choose from there is always a perfect tree for any garden.”

For more information about the Old Railway Line Garden Centre and any upcoming events visit www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk or call 01497847055.