CHILDREN at a Hampshire school have planted more than 300 trees as part of a nationwide tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Pupils at Blackfield Primary School took part in a ceremony at Fawley Fields after joining forces with New Forest District Council, which prepared the site.
The children planted native oak and beech trees as well as learning how such ceremonies benefit the environment.
The Queen’s Green Canopy is a national initiative that was devised to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee last year.
It has since been extended from December 2022 to March 2023 to serve as a lasting tribute to Britain's longest-serving monarch.
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Cllr David Russell, the council's portfolio holder for people and places, said: "Enhancing and improving our green spaces across the district remains a key priority for us as we work to tackle climate change and protect nature.
"On behalf of the council, I would like to say a big 'thank you' to the schoolchildren and staff for their enthusiasm and for being a part of this project.
"The site at Fawley Fields provides a wonderful space for the community and a special tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and I hope our residents will enjoy it."
Tariq Sasso, principal of Blackfield Primary School, added: "The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves planting the trees for The Queen's Green Canopy.
"They know how important it is to look after our environment and I know they found it special to build something that would help remember the Queen.
"They're going to share what they've done with the rest of the school during an assembly after the Christmas holidays and will be planting some trees on our school field too."
The event at Fawley Fields was timed to coincide with the national tree planting season, which runs from October to March.
The planting will be recorded as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy project and added to a virtual map on its website.
Further improvements are due to be made to Fawley Fields after the council identified it as an area that could be developed to promote biodiversity and the local environment.
The council is preparing wildflower areas at the site, where a mixture of native annual and perennial seeds will be planted in the spring.
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