A thousand heartfelt messages to loved ones have been left on a Christmas tree in a Ledbury pub.

The Oak Inn at Staplow started collecting handwritten messages on red hearts on Remembrance Day and when it proved popular, decided to keep going until Christmas.

The pub had the tree early from Templecourt Christmas Trees to decorate its new Apres Ski Bar.

“It started on Remembrance Day with just 50 hearts for those who have lost or are missing someone,” said landlord Chris Owen-Howell.

“We didn't want to hang Christmas decorations so we continued with the hearts and - pardon the pun - it just snowballed from there.

“We've had people very moved and many in tears. Even some of our Team Oak colleagues have been moved by the messages when left on the table.

“After Christmas we plan to bury the hearts and plant a new tree in our beer garden.”

This week, Vicky Kaye added the 1,000th red heart message to the memorial winter tree.

While celebrating her birthday at the Oak Inn, she also took the chance to remember her late father Richard Hadley, who died last Christmas.

The Oak Inn’s Apres Ski Family Club is taking place every Saturday and Sunday throughout December, with board games, festive music, a log fire, patio heater and blankets to keep everyone warm.

The Apres Ski Bar can also be booked for private hire.

Earlier this year, the pub stopped hosting street food vendors in its car park after realising it was missing out on profits.

Instead, the Oak launched a ‘pub grub’ evening menu, which Chris said was an instant hit.

"We've seen a steady increase in the number of covers and now on average factoring in wages and overheads, we are far more profitable,” he said.