SIDMOUTH’S best loved trees have been revealed, as driving forces behind a civic arboretum prepare to launch the project.

Sidmouth Arboretum organisers will stage a series of events on Thursday, May 10, at Kennaway House from 11am.

The free programme of talks and guided walks will run until 9pm.

The initiative is a celebration of the Sid Valley’s tree heritage and a commitment to plant more trees for future generations.

The chamber of commerce had asked for residents to put forward their favourite trees and a database has been compiled.

A sweet chestnut in the Byes has been named as the town’s number one tree, with a Californian redwood and a London plane, both at the Hunters Moon Hotel, in Sid Road, coming second and third respectively.

Holm oaks in the Byes and an English oak in Margaret’s Meadow complete the top five.

Residents can find out if their best loved tree made the top 50 list at next week’s launch.

Guest speakers there include Hugh Angus, the retired curator of Westonbirt, The National Arboretum and Professor Brian Golding, who will speak on the science of Sidmouth’s climate