A memorial tree has been pulled out from a churchyard after it was planted for King Charles III’s coronation.

A cherry blossom tree was planted two weeks ago at St George's Church in Farnworth.

The tree was planted as a way of marking the coronation of King Charles III as well as being a special moment for the church.

It was the only tree in the church yard after they were forced to cut down so many others as they were deemed too close to the roads and were causing danger.

Church warden Rob Tyler said: “I noticed this morning when I came in for the children’s Messy Church session.

“It’s just sad that this has happened because it was going to be something for the future and now it cannot be.

The Bolton News: St Georges Churchyard

“It was commemorative, and we planted it a day after the coronation so we would also remember when we planted it.”

The idea was Rob’s as he wanted to do something to bring the nature back to the churchyard.

He said: “We didn’t have any trees anymore so I thought of this.

“It would cast a shade over the entrance of the church and it’s not for us, but for the people coming here in the future.

“When you plant a tree, you plant it for the future - for people in years from now.

“That was the idea behind it so it’s sad that someone has decided to take it.”

They now plan to replant a cherry blossom tree but will take measures to protect it so that the same thing does not reoccur.

Rob said: “I am not angry, but I am sad it has gone because it was supposed to here for a long time.

“It was a nice day when we planted it, we all came together to do it and our vicar was here too.”

Vicar of the church, Laysetta Masih dug up the space to plant the tree.

Rob said: “There is not anything we can do about the tree being gone but just to plant another tree.

“It will not stop us from doing that.”