THE PRIME Minister, air cadets and representatives from The Woodland Trust united to plant a First World War commemorative tree at Witney park to replace one that was vandalised last year.

The local Air Cadets group had been fundraising to replace the oak tree they planted, which was discovered vandalised the day after Remembrance Day, and after successfully raising the money, The Woodland Trust stepped in and donated a tree for the planting.

David Cameron said: "It was a pleasure to meet with the Witney Air Cadets and the Woodland Trust today and to help replant their commemorative tree.

"I know that the vandalism caused real sadness across Witney.

"We owe so much to those who gave their lives in the First World War – and it is great to see the remembrance oak tree standing proud once more."

Flight Lieutenant Mike Caffrey said it was a privilege to be visited by the Prime Minister and added he was grateful to the Woodland Trust for donating the tree.

He said: "Witney Royal Air Force Air Cadets are thrilled to have received this generous donation from the Woodland Trust, and to be joined by our Member of Parliament in planting it.

"We hope that it will join the other oaks planted by the community on the 100th anniversary of the end of Great War hostilities, as a lasting memorial to the sacrifice of soldiers and civilians that paid the ultimate price in securing our futures."

The Woodland Trust chief executive Beccy Speight said it was an honour to have the Prime Minister planting the tree, adding she thought it was a symbol of a bright future.

She said: "All those who made sacrifices in the First World War did so in the hope of securing a brighter future for the next generation. In this centenary year, we can’t think of a better way to give thanks for this than creating thousands of acres of life-giving native woodland, as a legacy for the whole of the UK."