Two trees have been planted in a Suffolk town to honour the two middle schools that served the community.

Stowmarket mayor Barry Salmon, aided by deputy mayor Barry Humphreys MBE, planted the trees – a black walnut for Stowmarket Middle School and an English oak for Combs Middle School – in the Recreation Ground, close to the memorial gates.

Both schools closed their doors for the final time earlier this year after Suffolk County Council voted unanimously to shut them in 2013.

Mr Salmon said: “The idea was to commemorate the closing of the two middle schools and to mark the work they have done.

“It was about leaving a legacy beyond this council.

“I was really pleased with the turnout of people.”

He added that he hopes it will be the start of an avenue of trees on the site.

Frank Reed, the first headmaster of Combs Middle, and Kate Kingsford-Bere, the acting deputy headteacher of Stowmarket Middle when it closed, were present at the planting.

Mr Salmon said: “We had headmasters and teachers from the schools attend, who were pleased to see the trees going in.

“A tree like an oak or a black walnut tree will be there long past any councillor – I’m hoping to see it grow into a nice tree – it’s about planting for the next generation.

“They are planted for the future and I think that element is quite nice.”