In the pink: Artist transforms village scene in bizarre tree campaign

An artist is turning heads in a small English village after he painted a 300-year-old oak tree fluorescent pink.

Henry Bruce, 35, wanted to raise awareness of an infection which is affecting trees across the country.

So he spent two weeks working on the 21-metre high oak tree which is suffering from decay in the grounds of the Delamore Estate in Cornwood, Devon.

The tree is part of an art and sculpture exhibition by Mr Bruce in the Devon village.

He said: "I am passionate about raising awareness of the phytophthora problem, which will affect many landowners."

Delamore founder Gavin Dollard also wants the bizarre project to highlight the issues of phytophthora.

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Mr Dollard added: "Landowners across the South West are felling seven square miles of Japanese Larch to combat the tree killing fungus which was discovered in 2002.

"Nearly 1,000 acres of infected larch have been removed by the Forestry Commission, while private landowners have been ordered to fell 4,000 acres of timber by March, some 300,000 tons.

"The is no compensation whatsoever for landowners, the sculpture will make the issue facing landowners known to the public.

"We pride ourselves on bringing a fresh, though provoking and diverse collection of art to the public every year.

"Henry’s work will not only be truly stunning and visable from right across the Estate, it also raises a little known challenge which is close to my heart."

You will be able to see the tree at the Delamore Art and Sculpture Exhibition every day in May from 10.30am - 4.30pm on the Delamore Estate.

The exhibition hall is only open to the public for one month a year.