Arboretum plans £10m experience

The public can comment on the five short-listed designs for the tree canopy

Westonbirt Arboretum is launching a £10million project to safeguard their historic national collection for the future and connect people with trees like never before.

The plans include a tree canopy experience which could be a walkway, a rising platform or chairs moving gently through the trees.

Five short-listed designs will be on display outside the Forest Shop on-site from Saturday, 24 October, to Thursday, 5 November, 2009, and visitors are being invited to say which they think is the best and help the arboretum decide.

As well as the tree canopy, the money will also be spent on a new Gateway Building to welcome visitors, a new improved car parking area and a purpose-built Learning Hub.

Miranda Winram, director of the Westonbirt Project, said: "Westonbirt is a national treasure - loved and valued by thousands of people.

"With all this support, we aim to conserve our heritage and unrivalled tree collection and make Westonbirt the place to find out more about the importance of trees in our lives."

For more information, visit the Westonbirt Project website.