Celebrity backers see signatures sky-rocket on 'Save Darwin's Oak' petition
A petition to save Shropshire's beloved 'Darwin Oak' tree has received almost 50,000 signatures in the last 24 hours after celebrities Bianca Jagger and Chris Packham backed the campaign.
The 550-year-old 'Darwin Oak' is among nine veteran trees that stand in the path of the planned Shrewsbury North West Relief Road.
During a planning meeting that saw the approval of the £80 million bypass, members were told the route could not be moved to save the tree because it would be too bendy, meaning it could not be a 60mph road.
The tree was given its name due it being located upon a route supposedly followed by a young Charles Darwin on his walks in the area.
While Shropshire Council has said trees will be replaced at a ratio of six to one, campaigners are pulling out all the stops to save the oak tree.
In the last 24 hours, almost 50,000 signatures have been added to the change.org petition calling for Shropshire Council to shelve the plans.
The rise comes after Nicaraguan social and human rights advocate and former actress, Bianca Jagger, and wildlife TV presenter and conservationist, Chris Packham shared the campaign on social media.
