A DISEASED tree in Lido Park which could have been cut down and lost forever, is being given a new life as a piece of public art for the town.

The large mature beech tree, was found to be suffering from a fungal disease called Meripilus Giganteus, which meant that it posed a health and safety risk to people in the park.

Officers from Wychavon District Council’s parks team decided that although the large crown of the tree needed to be removed, instead of removing the entire tree, the remainder of the huge trunk could still be preserved in place in a bid to turn the tree into a giant wooden sculpture.

Sculptural artist Tom Harvey has now been brought in to carve the trunk into the shape of a young salt worker, from the town’s salt-producing past, and he’s expected to take several weeks to complete the piece of art.

Lynn Stevens, parks officer for Wychavon District Council, said: “It’s always sad when we have to remove any tree, particularly one this old, so it’s positive that we’ve been able to preserve it in some form. This art work will create an interesting feature for the town and park users to enjoy viewing.”

Peter Hawkins, chair of Droitwich Arts Network called the sculpture 'an excellent idea', and that it would add to the tree art already in place around the district.