Schoolchildren and members of the community held a special event on Friday as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.

People including Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden and borough council leader Morris Bright were at Woodcock Hill Village Green for a spot of tree planting.

Mr Dowden helped plant five saplings.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project was launched in 2015 when an appeal was made to all 53 Commonwealth nations to contribute areas of indigenous forest to be preserved forever to mark Her Majesty's lifetime of service to the Commonwealth

Mayor of Hertsmere Cllr Brenda Batten, the Mayor of Elstree & Borehamwood Cllr Victor Eni, councillors from Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council, who helped organise the event, and the Deputy Lieutenant for Hertfordshire Akhtar Zaman were all in attendance.

Mr Dowden said: “It was a wonderful afternoon planting the saplings at the ceremony on Woodcock Hill. It was a very special moment.

“The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy is a fantastic project that celebrates the Commonwealth and the sense of community that the Queen and the monarchy bring to our country.”