LEDBURY will pay a golden jubilee compliment to the Queen if a plan to plant 50 oak trees is given the green light in the New Year.

The idea comes from Ledbury in Bloom chairman Tom Deane.

Each of the 12ft trees would represent a year of the Queen's reign.

Mr Deane will seek formal backing for the project from his committee early next month, while the town council has already agreed to support the proposal.

"These will be royal trees for a royal occasion, English oaks that will live for 800 years and will be a lasting memorial to the Queen," said Mr Deane.

He had hoped to plant all 50 trees in an avenue along Ledbury bypass but the idea was dropped after talks with Herefordshire Council's parks and highways department because of fears that the trees, which could grow to 100ft, might obscure motorists' vision.

Instead, Ledbury in Bloom could appeal to local people to sponsor the £2,500 scheme at £50 a tree and ask for ideas for planting sites.

Plaques could be placed beside some or all of the trees to set them apart as Golden Jubilee oaks.

Chris Clarke, Ledbury in Bloom secretary and the Ledbury Tourist Information Centre supervisor, described the idea as "wonderful''.

"We've done the business with the flowers, now we can concentrate on trees and wildlife and keep Ledbury a rural town with green and leafy spices," he said.

Town clerk June McQuaid said: "The town council supports it, too. It's been on the cards for a while."