Two primary schools in East Cambridgeshire have each been awarded a new tree following a district-wide competition.

Littleport Community Primary School and Robert Arkenstall Primary School in Haddenham, each submitted photographs of their favourite tree to be used in East Cambridgeshire District Council’s (ECDC) Tree Strategy which was adopted in September of this year.

The two schools were picked out of the whole district by ECDC’s Director of Operations, Jo Brooks and Planning Manager, Rebecca Saunt, to each have a tree planted to commemorate their win during National Tree Week.

Littleport Community Primary School have been presented with a Turkish hazel tree and Robert Arkenstall Primary School have been awarded an ornamental hawthorn tree.

Kate Bonney, headteacher at Robert Arkenstall Primary School, said: “We’re delighted to have won this special tree for our school.

“Our children thrive on the outdoors and entering this competition enabled us to highlight the importance of trees across the district.”

Deputy Headteacher at Littleport Community Primary School, Nick Clark, said: “This has been a fantastic initiative for our school.

“The protection of nature is so vital in our district and we’re ecstatic to have received the tree following the competition.”

The Tree Strategy aims to ensure the continuity of trees in the landscape as well as committing to the sustainability of new and existing trees when considered in development.

Councillor Lis Every, planning champion for ECDC said: “We’re thrilled to celebrate National Tree Week by planting these trees in two such fantastic schools.

“The Tree Strategy is so important to the council because it protects our trees in the district. Not only does it provide health benefits, but they also add to the beautiful scenery we have here in East Cambridgeshire.”

To read more on East Cambridgeshire District Council’s Tree Strategy, visit the website: http://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning/Tree%20Strategy%20Document%202018%2028.pdf