Students at St John’s School, Marlborough, have taken part in a ceremony to plant an 18-foot high oak tree in a celebration timed to link in with other schools around the world.

The tree planting was part of the Green Wave, an event organised as part of the International Day for Biodiversity.

The tree was donated to St John’s by John Horsley, the proprietor of Cadley Garage, and will launch his pledge to plant many more trees at St John’s to offset the company’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The oak was planted on the main approach to the school, close to the playing fields, and subsequent trees will be planted along the avenue leading to the school.

The ceremony was watched by guests from schools in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Belgium and Germany, visiting St John’s as part of the European education programme.