CHILDREN from Bassett Green Primary School have been gifted a tree as part of The Queen's Green Canopy.

The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Nigel Atkinson helped plant the Chanticleer pear tree, which now takes pride of place in the centre of the school field.

Children at Bassett Green are looking forward to caring for and watching the tree flourish.

The QGC is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.

It is gifting 70 Celebration Trees to selected primary schools in areas of socio-economic deprivation in 69 cities across the UK.

The QGC Celebration Trees initiative aims to highlight the educational aspects of trees and the significance of giving young people access to nature, encouraging wider engagement with the QGC across the school curriculum.

Headteacher Charlotte Stillwell said: "This is an incredible opportunity for the Queen's legacy to live on in years to come. We are so proud to be chosen to be part of this momentous occasion."

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson added: “I am so pleased and proud to be able to gift this tree on behalf of HM The Queen.

Next year, Her Majesty will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service. The Queens Green Canopy will encourage planting of trees to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations.”

All Jubilee trees can to be added to the QGC Map, which will create a digital record of the green canopy of tree planting projects across the country.