A Helensburgh resident's enthusiasm for the town's street trees has been highlighted in a new Woodland Trust campaign.

Sandy is the original founder of the Helensburgh Tree Conservation Trust and explained the important role the charity plays in protecting the trees in the town today.

He said: “People come to us to ask about taking down problem trees.

“We use it as an opportunity to advise. We ask them to consider replacement planting in their gardens, for example.

“And we involve the community. One of our successes has been planting in one of the local council housing schemes where everybody told us they would be vandalised.

He added: “We involved the youngsters there and they weren't vandalised – they're very proud of their street trees and so are we.”

Helensburgh has a long history of tree appreciation with local people demanding tress were planted as early as 1975.

It is believed some pf the oldest cherry trees still flowering today may be examples of those original pioneers.

And over 100 years on, the town remains proud of its trees.

After moving to the area in 1975, he knew the town was for him.

He said: “There’s a mile of flowering cherry trees in the spring. What a fantastic place to live.”

The cherry trees are still flowering to this day and the blossom display is celebrated with its own festival.

But with government reform and budget cuts, no new planting or tree replacement was planned and some established trees were coming to the end of their lives.

As a result, Sandy realised the trees needed protected and set up the Trust.

Residents pay an annual membership fee to belong to the charity and the money is used to buy saplings from a Scottish nursery and fund planting across the town, replacing damaged trees and filling in gaps in the display.

Sandy added: “We want to look after the treescape of Helensburgh.”

“We're trying to maintain the character of the town by doing what would previously have been done by the council.

“We don't have the powers of a local authority, so our job can be difficult at times, but the vision is that we can help ensure Helensburgh continues to be a great place to come and enjoy the trees."

The organisation estimates it has planted about 1,000 trees over the years.

And the Trust has become something of an authority within the town.

“People come to us to ask about taking down problem trees.

“We use it as an opportunity to advise. We ask them to consider replacement planting in their gardens, for example.”