FAWLEY'S ancient village centre is on the way to being given a major facelift.

The first step in a scheme aimed at transforming the run-down look of the area around Fawley Square came with the planting of a tree donated by Fawley Refinery.

It is to be followed by more trees being placed in and around the village, general improvements, a new road layout and the creation of a village green.

Douglas Eaglen, who drew the initial plans for the scheme, pointed out that it had won cash support from Hampshire County, New Forest District and Fawley Parish Councils and arbout£250,000 had been raised.

In addition, he said, £6,000 had been donated by Esso ExxonMobil, from Fawley Refinery, for the planting of trees.

Of that, he said, £3,000 would be spent in the Fawley Square area and the other £3,000 would go towards trees in Holbury, Langley, Blackfield and Calshot.

"This is the start of the Square - the first visible step we are able to make," said Mr Eaglen.

After the tree had been planted, Fawley Refinery manager Dave Carr said Esso ExxonMobil had been deeply involved in the sponsorship and provision of trees on a national and local level.

"Trees last and this kind of involvement is of lasting value to the community," he said, adding that thousands of trees had been planted as a screen around the refinery site over the years. "There were 35,000 but now there are 50,000," he said.