A community has come together in a bid to fight climate change.

Ellesmere Town Council recently recognised a 'climate emergency' and as part of this planted a eucalyptus tree in the Cremorne Gardens on Saturday morning – which was also Tree Charter Day.

The tree came from the Prees Heath Forest Nursery.

Councillors were joined by representatives of the local brownies and guides, and the Ellesmere Youth Project, after children in the town got involved in the battle.

Councillor Paul Goulbourne, mayor of Ellesmere, said: "We saw the government had declared an emergency and a few other councils had too, so we investigated it and we got the youth of the town involved.

"They are streaks ahead us. I've been going round the primary school and taking to them. They don't want plastic straws any more, they don't want Christmas wrapping paper but brown paper instead – I was very impressed with how much they knew, but it is their future we are talking about."

Cllr Goulbourne explained that the eucalyptus was chosen as another tree in the gardens has died and is due to be felled, so this will replace it.

He added that because the area is classed as a garden, it can be home to non-native species of tree.

Shaun Burkey, Shropshire Council's greenspace officer (North), explained the planting was one of several taking place that day.

He continued: "Shropshire Council has made a pledge to plant 345,000 trees to do our bit to tackle this climate emergency.

"We need to act now, we can't wait any longer. We need to treat this as the emergency that it is."

Shaun added: "The beauty of the Cremorne Gardens is that is has this arboretum feel. People took the time to plant threes of interest in the past and it is the effect of what they did 100 years ago that we can add to and enjoy today."