Winston Howes is 71 and spent a week planting each oak sapling after his wife of 33 years Janet passed away suddenly 17 years ago

[Winston Howes is 71 and spent a week planting each oak sapling after his wife of 33 years Janet passed away suddenly 17 years ago.

He planted trees in a 6 acre field but left a perfect heart shape in the middle – with the point facing in the direction of her childhood home. His labour of love has now blossomed into a mature meadow.

Mr Howes said: “I came up with the idea of creating a heart in the clearing of the field after Janet died. I thought it was a great idea – it was a flash of inspiration – and I planted several thousand oak trees. Once it was completed we put seat in the field, overlooking the hill near where she used to live. I sometimes go down there, just to sit and think about things. It is a lovely and lasting tribute to her which will be here for years. The heart points towards Wotton Hill, where Janet is from. We plant daffodils in the middle that come up in the spring – it looks great. I go out there from time to time and sit in the seat I created.”

Andy Collett, a hot air balloonist could not believe his eyes when he discovered the symbol of love hidden among the trees.]