A campaign to stop an ancient tree collapsing launched by the All Saints Farringdon Parochial Church Council in late 2019 has raised £13,000.

The 3,000-year-old yew is one of the country’s ten oldest trees and is of special national and international scientific interest.

Despite its worn appearance it continues to show healthy signs of growth and it was deemed essential to save it.

The money paid for expert reports on the tree and the surrounding soil, design of a brace and its installation in October.

Parochial church council member Bryan Orchard said: “As custodians of the churchyard, the parochial church council decided to take action to save the tree for the village and the nation. The wear on the tree over the next decade would have resulted in its probable loss.

“Arriving at a design of structure that has the minimum of impact on the tree has been challenging. In developing the bracing structure we had to strike a balance between giving support to the boughs and hollow trunk and ensuring that future growth would not be impeded.

“With the brace now installed it is hoped that the tree will continue growing for generations to come.”

Invited to see it were Rhiannon Hoy (Woodland Trust), Stewart Garside (East Hampshire District Council), Robert Mocatta (South Downs National Park), Alison De Ledesma (Farringdon Parish Council) and Alex Roe (Farringdon villagers).

Funds came from residents, friends of the village, The Woodland Trust, East Hampshire District Council, the Syder Foundation, the South Downs National Park, the parochial church council, Farringdon Parish Council and visitors to the church.