Campaign for Llanfyllin's Lonely Tree prize grows

Councillor Peter Lewis, whose family farm on the land where the iconic tree once stood before it was blown down in storms earlier this year, said the feature is "unique" in Wales.

The Lonely Tree has been named as one of Wales's top 10 special places by the National Trust Wales.

The public are now being asked to vote on what they want to see take top spot.

Cllr Lewis said the public's response to save the iconic tree after it was blown over in storms in February proves it should be given the number one spot.

A campaign was launched to save the tree and local people and firms volunteered equipment and time to cover its remaining roots with soil with the hope that it will survive.

People from around the world sent donations and good luck messages after hearing about the demise of the tree, which has stood high above the town of Llanfyllin for hundreds of years.

It was where marriages had been proposed and ashes scattered and it had become the much-loved emblem of the town.

Hugging the tree could bring good fortune according to local legend.

Councillor Lewis said: "The top 10 list has some wonderful places but they are places more than things.

"The Lonely Tree is something which means a lot to so many people and that was why people from around the world got in touch when the tree came down.

"They wanted to save it because it is so important to them. It is part of the town and part of the history.

"The roots are still covered and it has been fenced off now so we are hopeful that it can survive.

"We have to wait 12 months to see if any of the roots have survived and the tree can flourish again.

"People love that tree and people who have left and lived around the world then come back have come up to see it when they return home for generations.

"It is such a huge part of the community and that was shown when a book was published about it after the storms and that book has sold out.

"Prime Minister David Cameron has a copy because Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies passed on a copy to him.

"We need people's help to make sure the Lonely Tree is crowned the most special place in Wales.

"We are running out of time because people must vote online by August 3 so we would urge everyone to get voting.

"People who can't vote online can vote on paper by visiting the Corner Shop newsagents in Llanfyllin."

The Lonely Tree us battling against places such as Dyffryn Gardens, Gower and Hay-on-Wye.

The Lonely Tree was shortlisted by judges for the way the town rallied together to keep alive something that means so much to it.

The shortlist was chosen by a panel of official judges, a mixture of travel and heritage experts including broadcaster Roy Noble, travel journalist and TV presenter Simon Calder and TV wildlife presenter Iolo Williams.

People can vote via Twitter using #specialplaces@NTWales or on Facebook at fb.me/1nJMU6f