A COUPLE celebrated their golden wedding anniversary by supporting an environmental cause.

Elizabeth and David Robinson, of Bullock Wood Close, Colchester, gathered family and friends as they planted an oak tree at the Woodland Trust’s new site in Elmstead Market.

The couple, marking 50 years of marriage, donated £2,500 to the trust, and raised another £300 by asking their guests to make contributions instead of buying them gifts.

Mr Robinson said: “We thought of having a party, but that’s all over and done with in a weekend.

“We wanted to create something lasting, and to leave something behind which will still be here in 100 years.”

The trust bought the 105-acre site, three miles from Colchester, earlier this year.

It needs to raise £20,000 locally, out of an overall project shortfall of £298,000, to manage the site for the next five years.

It is offering residents the chance to plant a tree for £15.

For more information, visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/elmstead, e-mail johnbrown@woodlandtrust.org.uk, or call John Brown on 08452 935732.