HIGH-PROFILE guests attended a tree planting ceremony to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The Marquess of Abergavenny hosted the event on his Eridge Park estate, near Crowborough, as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) initiative to mark the anniversary next year and celebrate her 70 years of service.

Eridge is known to be the oldest enclosed deer park in England and Lord Abergavenny welcomed nearly 50 guests, including local residents and organisations and others with an interest in planting more trees to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee.

The ceremony on Friday was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex Andrew Blackman and Nusrat Ghani MP, who planted the two elm trees.

The Wealden MP told guests: “The Queen’s Green Canopy is a wonderful concept and I am delighted to be here at Eridge Park today.

“Not only are we playing a crucial part in helping combat climate change, we are also reminding ourselves of the incredible service that our Queen has given to this country.”

Lord Abergavenny explained the importance of planting trees for future generations.

He said: “At Eridge Park, we have an important role to play in preserving this wonderful estate.

"It is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, so the trees have been carefully chosen to suit the location.

"We are planting disease-resistant elms along this section of the Sussex border path as there used to be a beautiful line of elms bordering the road.”

Andrew Blackman, who as Lord Lieutenant is a representative of the Queen, said the green canopy was an excellent environmental initiative and a wonderful way to mark the jubilee celebrations in 2022.

He said: “I am delighted to be here at Eridge Park today to support the tree planting ceremony. I would urge everybody to spread the word about this country-wide initiative and, where possible, to get involved."