A new woodland has been planted in Upton upon Severn to commemorate the anniversary of the end of the First World War.

1,200 new trees were planted at the Eades Estate by representatives from Upton Parish Council and Malvern Hills District Council to celebrate the estate’s military heritage.

Mayor of Upton, Simon Yates planted the first tree and was joined by town councillor Neil Baldwin and Malvern Hills District Council chairman Andrea Morgan.

The trees will be at head height within a decade and the project was supported by the Woodland Trust and Sainsbury’s.

Mr Baldwin said: “The idea came from wanting to enhance biodiversity and ecological habitat, but also to respect our past and invest in our future.

“There is a lot of work to do to restore and renovate both natural and built environment, but also to make the most of the opportunity by finding ways to enhance it too.

"Planting a woodland has obvious environmental benefits and helps improve the managed landscape and honour local heritage too.

“We’re delighted to have been able to make a positive contribution to community.”

The woodland has been named the ‘Jewell Woodland’ in honour of Major Maurice Jewell (1885-1798) who lived at Hill House, now part of the Eades Estate between 1913 and the 1960s.

Jewell served in the Royal Artillery in the First World War and was played first-class cricket for Worcestershire between 1919 and 1933.

The Eades Estate is a holiday home offers holiday let accommodation and the woodland, comprised of 1,200 trees and 400 shrubs in its entirety, will take up one hectare of land. Tree species planted include aspen, beech, crab apple, wild cherry and silver birch.

It was the family home of war hero Admiral Sir William Tennant, who was senior naval officer responsible for the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from the beaches at Dunkirk in May 1940.