PUPILS from a Boston primary school braved one of the coldest days of the winter so far to plant 100 trees at a local allotment as part of a project to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The children aged seven and eight from St Thomas' Primary School braved freezing temperatures to help with the formation a jubilee copse at Wyberton Low Road allotments site on Cuckoo Land.

Teams of pupils worked with teachers, teaching assistants and Boston Borough Council staff and helpers to plant field maple, wild cherry, goat willow, downey birch, oak, rowan, crab apple, lime and wayfaring.

The children's jubilee copse is the second on Cuckoo Land with 25 trees have been planted near the car park.

The project is part of a Woodland Trust initiative to get up to three million people involved in planting six million trees across the UK.

A shrub area containing native species and small trees will complete landscaping at the site where there are 100 allotments rented out by the council.

Council partnerships and sustainability manager Ian Farmer said: "Cuckoo Land site now forms a community green space and is a favourite circular walk for residents seeking gentle exercise and fresh air."

Health Network co-ordinator Kay Hayden, who helped out with the tree planting, added: "The children enjoyed it. They walked to and from school and had exercise gardening, which is good for physical and mental health and wellbeing."

The new copses complement jubilee community orchards previously planted at the allotments and Witham Way Country Park.

Jubilee diamond oaks are being offered to each parish council to plant in prominent locations and it is hoped that further community planting schemes will be carried out during the year to provide a lasting legacy to mark the Queen's historic milestone.

Call Ian Farmer for further information on (01205) 314225 or email ian.farmer@boston.gov.uk