For 25 years the volunteers of The Friends of Norwich In Bloom have been bringing beautiful flowers to the streets of our city and now the group has a permanent memento in one of its oldest landmarks.

The 13th century Great Hospital, in Bishopgate, now has a liquidambar styraciflua tree growing in its grounds in honour of The Friends of Norwich In Bloom's work.

The group is celebrating its 25th year and, as part of the celebration the tree, more commonly known as an American sweetgum, was planted in the Great Hospital's grassy enclave of St Helen's Square yesterday afternoon.

Master and chief executive of the Great Hospital, Air Commodore Kevin Pellatt, was joined by invited guests, including Lord Mayor of Norwich Ralph Gayton.

Trustees of both The Friends of Norwich In Bloom and the Great Hospital gathered for the planting ceremony of the tree, which will eventually grow taller than 35ft, but will take around 50 years to do so.

Mr Pellatt said: 'We are of course delighted to have been chosen by the Friends of Norwich In Bloom and to accept this tree in their 25th year is a great honour for us.

'I love the purple colour and I am told it is a lovely tree to have in the autumn.'

The Friends of Norwich In Bloom was originally founded in 1987 as a voluntary group which aimed to promote floral and environmental activities in the city.

The group also took over the running of local summer competitions which had previously been organised by the city council, and two years ago became a formally approved charity.

Friends of Norwich In Bloom president Michael King added: 'We are very honoured to plant this tree here.

'Twenty-five years is a significant milestone in the history of The Friends of Norwich In Bloom and we hope the people of Norwich will feel strongly, as we do, that we have added something to the city in that time.

'This year in particular we won six awards at Anglia In Bloom and also a silver-gilt at Britain In Bloom in Guernsey.'

The group runs competitions such as for daffodils in spring and biggest pumpkin and tallest sunflower in the autumn. For more details, go to www.norwichinbloom.co.uk

- Would you like to pay tribute to the work of Norwich In Bloom? Leave a comment below, write to Evening News Letters, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk