University set for spring with 300th cherry tree

The university's trees are enjoyed by students and staff and attract visitors to the campus

A university is looking ahead to spring blossom and sunshine by planting its 300th cherry tree.

Keele University, which has one of the largest collections of flowering cherries in the UK, said the latest planting helped mark its 75th year.

The cherry blossoms attract visitors and cheer both students and staff, including Toshihiko Kitagawa, a lecturer in Japanese, who was happily surprised when he arrived at the university four years ago and found trees which reminded him of home.

"We have a special emotional attachment to cherry trees and every spring we go out and celebrate. It's a part of our culture," he said.

There was snow on the ground when Kayo Iwakami, from the Embassy of Japan, planted the sapling

The cherry blossom season is Japan's traditional sign of spring and the country is famed for its cherry tree gardens.

Mr Kitagawa told the BBC that in Japan the cherry trees were "like a rose to the English people. It's very symbolic".

A spokesperson for Keele University said the first ornamental grounds were created at the site in the 1940s and its National Collection now had about 230 different varieties of cherry trees across the 600-acre campus.

Some rare trees and samples had since been donated to nurseries and botanical gardens, including Kew, they added.

Kayo Iwakami, cultural attaché from the Embassy of Japan in the UK, planted the sapling at last month's ceremony and joined others to mark the university's anniversary.

"I really love cherry trees, especially in spring," she said.

"But I was surprised because there are so many cherry trees in this university, so I came here to celebrate with them."

Lecturer Toshihiko Kitagawa said cherry trees were very symbolic in Japan

Dave Emley, curator of Keele's Cherry Collection, said of spring: "Wherever you walk you come across these lovely carpets of pink and white.

"Or course in the autumn time we get the coloured leaves as well so we get lots or reds and oranges and so on.

"So at the two ends of the year it's really very pretty."

The trees are expected to again bring beauty in the spring sunshine next year