Newent arboretum has seen a five-fold increase in visitors over the last few years.

Fewer than 100 people a week visited the attraction as recently as 2003. Now the figure is up to 500.

The arboretum has a collection of around 5,000 trees and is administered by Newent Town Council. Admission is free, with access points off Watery Lane and Bradford's Lane.

Coun Barry Wellington, a nursery owner and member of the arboretum committee, said: "I've even see girls making use of the picnic tables to swot up on their exams and even on Christmas day there were 30 people in there."

A new attraction is an information board, detailing the six native species of butterfly to be found there in the summer.

Within the next few years, as the tree canopy becomes more established, the arboretum committee plans to plant native species of wildflowers under the spreading shade.

Plans are also being laid to welcome a VIP party to the arboretum next summer.

Coun Wellington said: "The Worcestershire branch of the Royal Forestry Society will be coming on an official visit here next June and that means we are definitely on the map."