Ashby has a tree warden again, after former schoolteacher Melinda Bell was appointed to the role.

Melinda is passionate about protecting trees in the town - and is particularly concerned about the potential loss of trees posed by the planned redevelopment of the Royal Hotel site.

Her arrival also comes at a time when local residents have been showing concern at the felling of trees on the Ashby by-pass to make way for the road into the new Money Hill estate which will soon be under construction.

Melinda will be working with husband Tim and said: "I live in Ashby, I love living in Ashby and I don't think we have enough trees.

"I treasure the ones we've got, and I'm really concerned we're going to lose a lot more if they redevelop the Royal Hotel.

"There are prime, mature trees there that are in danger. It takes hundreds of years to get a good tree.

Ashby town councillor Barbara Kneale pushed for the appointment of a tree warden as part of a Leicestershire County Council scheme.

She said: "It came out of the Parish Nature Network which mentioned a couple of tree wardens, and I realised Ashby didn't have one and hadn't for some time.

"I felt that, as we're in the centre of the National Forest, we should have one.

"So I raised it at a Parks Committee meeting and it was agreed."

Melinda said that her role involves issues with trees in an around Ashby - including Willesley and Blackfordby.

She added: "We've recorded more than 1,000 species of tree at Willesley Wood.

"We also want to add Shellbrook Wood to the parish page.

"I'm also talking to Willesley Golf Club to get permission to come off the public footpath and look at their trees.

"I'm also one of the trustees of Nature Spot and we run on a shoestring. And we're very happy to share the knowledge of what we have."

Cllr Kneale outlined some of the tasks Melinda will be involved in.

She said: "The idea is to go through the different areas in and around Ashby - starting off in the town centre.

"We've looked at Prior Park for instance. But Shellbrook Wood is one of those that we are trying to save.

"We're also trying to collate tree protection orders in the Ashby area. Because trees are important for life.

"Hastings Gardens is a good example of the District Council's conservation officer pointing out that protected trees would be lost as part of the revised Royal Hotel plans.

"In the meantime, Melinda will get training from the County Council."

Aside from the long-standing trees in Ashby, the town now has some fledgling woodland in the shape of the Platinum Jubilee Wood in Prior Park.

A group of trees have been planted one corner as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year.

Cllr Kneale added: "They were planted a couple of months ago, this is a good area for them and there should be a nice woodland here in maybe 10 or 15 years' time.

"Again, the trees are part of a County Council initiative."

If anyone has an issue with trees in Ashby, Melinda can be contacted at the town council email which is [email protected].