'Blossom circles' to bloom across England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Project aims to inspire UK equivalent of hanami - the Japanese custom of relishing fleeting sight and scent of blossom

The joyful sight of trees bursting into blossom during the first Covid lockdown last spring gave comfort and hope to countless people confined indoors or only allowed to roam very briefly outside.

Almost 12 months on a conservation charity is leading a major project to create blossom circles" in cities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to provide spaces for reflection and optimism to aid the emotional recovery from the pandemic.