NOW IN its 10th year, the Westonbirt Festival of the Tree promises to be better than ever.

Westonbirt Arboretum’s festival attracts thousands of people every year as they present a whole week of activities for tree enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

"The Festival of the Tree is what Westonbirt is all about - people with passion and a desire to share their skills and enthusiasm with others, including our thousands of visitors," said Simon Hough, Westonbirt Arboretum's events manager.

"The week is becoming a firm favourite in our diary and has something for everyone, from real enthusiasts to people of all ages who simply love trees."

Between August 18 and 25 there will be a range of activities including the famous giant tree sculpting event, ‘Sculptree’, which this year will be a three metre high milk bottle and a surfer’s wave.

Twelve of the world’s top sculptors will apply chainsaws, chisels and sheer muscle power to huge recycled tree trunks to carve out the works of art.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend there will be a woodcraft exhibition, with expert demonstrations and artisan craft stalls.

Throughout the week there will be activities for children such as woodland crafts, wand-making and rides to the William Woodworm trail through the trees.

The festival draws to a close on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon with a public auction of the wooden sculptures that will be created over the week.

The auction is in aid of Bristol-based charity Tree Aid, which helps African villages plant trees.

The festival is open from 9am to 5pm, and during that week admission to the whole arboretum is £8 for adults, £3 for children.

Westonbirt Arboretum is three miles south west of Tetbury on the A433, Tetbury to Bath Road.