A YEW tree in Oxford Botanic Garden planted in the 17th century was badly damaged by Storm Ciara.

In a post on the Oxford University-owned garden's website, it said the tree was the oldest tree in its collection.

Planted in 1645 by the first Curator of the Garden, Jacob Bobart, the post shared a picture of the Walled Garden tree with a large section broken off.

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It said of the snap: "This may look devastating, however yews have an incredible ability to renew and rejuvenate themselves, and we expect the tree to fully recover in time."

It went on to say Yew trees can live for thousands of years and their longevity was partly due to this ability to regenerate.