Schools given 'friendship benches' made from trees felled for A47 upgrade near Norwich

Trees that were felled for a major road upgrade have been turned into "friendship benches" and given to local primary schools.

National Highways was criticised by countryside charity the Campaign to Protect Rural England for cutting down 2,500 trees as part of the dualling of the A47 at North Tuddenham to Easton near Norwich .

National Highways said it was planting 7,000 new trees as a result and that four of the trees had been transformed into benches for local schoolchildren.

"Friendship or buddy benches" are now in playgrounds at St Peter's CofE Primary Academy, Mattishall Primary School and Neatherd School, so children can sit and show they need support from a teacher or fellow pupil.

Local chainsaw artist Matt Darge was tasked with carving the timber from the four trees into a