TREES could be planted throughout East Lothian to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

Next year marks 70 years since the Queen took to the throne, with a nationwide initiative already drawn up to mark the occasion.

The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is calling on people from throughout the country to ‘plant a tree for the jubilee’.

East Lothian’s Lord Lieutenant, Roderick Urquhart, has planted the first tree in the county’s contribution to the cause at Leuchie House, near North Berwick.

The independent charity supports people with a range of neurological conditions and their families, and is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Joining Mr Urquhart at the planting were the county’s Provost John McMillan; Sir Hew Dalrymple, Deputy Lord Lieutenant; and Mark Bevan, chief executive of Leuchie House.

The Lord Lieutenant said: “The QGC provides opportunities for a lasting memorial to Her Majesty’s reign in an accessible and truly environmental manner.

“Trees will be planted on a variety of sites across the county and will be a lasting and living memorial fittingly reflecting the longevity of the Queen’s reign.

“I was delighted to help kick this off by planting a tree in Leuchie House’s grounds.”

The scheme is open to everyone, from individuals to groups and schools, to participate in.

Trees should be planted between October and March, with the tree-planting season starting again in October next year through to the end of the jubilee year.

Sir Hew Dalrymple, who is co-ordinating the East Lothian participation with support from East Lothian Council, encouraged people to get involved.

He said: “The idea of the QGC is about giving everyone – from individuals to community groups, schools to businesses – a means of contributing to a national initiative locally.

“Anybody can join in over the next 18 months – plant a tree, take a photo and log it on the Queen’s Green Canopy website.”

More information on the scheme can be found here.