AN ACTOR known for his booming voice has brought Cumbria's Great Knott Wood to life in the form of a talking yew tree.

Recordings of Brian Blessed's voice have been fitted inside the tree, installed by the Woodland Trust.

The tree is a real survivor and had to be rescued from being engulfed by a neighbouring Norway spruce.

“When the Woodland Trust asked me to help with this project there was one, clear answer," Brian Blessed said. "What better thing to lend my voice to than an old yew tree, just a stone’s throw away from the edge of Windermere? Creating a persona for this veteran being, and bring it to life was an offer I couldn’t refuse.

"I hope the tree, and the story it tells, will shock, captivate and inspire visitors to Great Knott Wood for many years to come."

Great Knott Wood is a precious area of ancient woodland on the edge of Lake Windermere being used by the Trust as a restoration demonstration site to educate and inspire visitors’ understanding of why ancient woodland is so important.

The tree now 'tells' visitors that is has been there for hundreds of years as the woodland has been looked after by people.

Later too many planted trees had blocked out the sun for the yew, before the Trust thinned out the wood as part of its restoration process.

Site Manager Heather Swift, added that the Trust was 'delighted' that Brian had given his 'distinctive voice' to the tree.

"It’s really fantastic to have such high profile support for our restoration work, and exciting to see people’s reactions when they first discover the amazing talking tree!" she said. "Great Knott Wood provides a glorious backdrop to the beautiful lakeside scenery and is an intriguing, delightful wood to explore. It’s been loved and worked in for centuries. Now everyone is welcome to visit the new trail and enjoy features like the talking tree."