More trees will be planted in Warwick's Priory Park as part of a £1 million county council fund.

The trees are intended to reduce the visual impact of the new medical centre on Priory Park and to replace the trees lost building it.

Planting of the seven new standard lime trees is also hoped to inspire and encourage school children to take an interest in the fight against climate change.

The Friends of Priory Park group will plant the trees which will be between 3 and 3.5m high when planted.

The 28.7 acre park, which dates back to the 12th century, now includes the three-storey medical centre at the junction of Cape Road and Priory Road.

It is visible from entrances to Priory Park and within the park itself, and has had a visual effect on the character and appearance of the area.

The project hopes to provide the local community, schools and users of the park with a project that they can all have ownership of, as well as offering awareness of the need to maintain and protect our natural resources.

It will incorporate local school children, teaching them the techniques of tree-planting by hand, why it is necessary and the benefits it has on the environment.

Work is expected to begin in November 2021 and be completed in March 2022.

Jerry Birkbeck, chairman of the Friends of Priory Park, Warwick, said: "The Friends of Priory Park (FOPP) have contacted seven local schools and community organisations to see if they would be prepared to consider managing and maintaining the trees in cooperation with FOPP and Warwick District Council's Green Spaces Team.

"The aim of this is to help young children to gain a better understanding of their local environment and how they can actively contribute to ensuring the future of Priory Park, which is a jewel in the history of the town of Warwick."

(Image by David Howard via geograph.org)