Schoolgirl places Sycamore Gap tree seedling at show

Dame Judi named the seedling Antoninus

A schoolgirl has helped Dame Judi Dench place a seedling grown from the Sycamore Gap tree at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Northumberland pupil Charlotte, seven, and Dame Judi placed the seedling at the National Trust's Octavia Hill Garden at the show on Monday.

Charlotte, who goes to Henshaw C.E Primary School near Hexham, said she hoped the seedling would go on to be "like Sycamore Gap".

Dame Judi said she had named the seedling Antoninus, after the adopted son of the Roman Emperor Hadrian.

The seedling has been grown at the National Trust's Plant Conservation Centre in Devon and will return there after the show.

It is the first to go on public display, after photos of small seedlings and buds which sprung from the rescued seeds and twigs of the tree were first shared in March.

The seedling will return to the conservation centre after the show

Charlotte, who got the got the opportunity to join Dame Judi after winning a competition through her school, said she was "so happy" scientists were trying to grow the tree back.

"Sycamore Gap was a big tree and the sapling is like Sycamore Gap's baby," she told the BBC.

"I hope the sapling goes to be like Sycamore Gap."

Henshaw C.E Primary School’s executive head teacher Michael Glenton accompanied Charlotte to the show along with her parents.

He said the school was "thrilled" to be working with the National Trust to remember the Sycamore Gap tree.

"The tree is the logo for our two federated schools (together with Greenhead Primary) and we will continue to ensure this important symbol of our community endures," Mr Glenton said.

Andrew Jasper, director of gardens and parklands at the National Trust, added: "We hope that those who visit the garden at Chelsea this week will feel that beneficial connection to the natural heritage that we care for and also take inspiration from seeing the seedling - when we first saw the seedlings germinate, we knew there was hope for the tree’s future."