A COMPETITION winner had the privilege of planting the first tree in a new woodland area in Corporation Park, Blackburn.

Mary Robinson, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, was chosen for the honour on December 1, 1991.

She was chosen after coming up with the winning name Bandsmans Wood for the area in the contest.

The tree planting ceremony took place during National Tree Week and was supported by British Gas North Western.

The traditional Victorian park was registered by English Heritage as a park and garden of special historic interest.

It has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag award for its upkeep, the national standard for parks and green spaces.

In 2014, 23 years later, children from Crosshill School in Blackburn planted 30 new trees there too.

The trees were donated to the school by The Woodland Trust.

The Trust sends out free trees to schools and community groups across the UK every March and November, the start of the planting season.