Robin Hood features in a special short video to champion the Major Oak as part of the ongoing European Tree of the Year competition.

More than 4,000 people have already got behind the Major Oak in the public vote which is taking place throughout February. Elsewhere, Nuts the Squirrel, Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club’s official Mascot has backed the campaign on Twitter.

The iconic tree is leading the way for the United Kingdom ahead of Wales, Ireland and Scotland, but there is already strong competition from Estonia and Hungary in the race for the European crown.

In the video, Robin Hood, aka Steve Warrington, and members of Nottinghamshire County Council’s country parks team explain why they love the Major Oak so much.

The Major Oak – estimated to be between 800 and 1,000 years old – is in the heart of Sherwood Forest country park which is managed by Nottinghamshire County Council, and forms part of Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve.

Councillor John Knight, Committee Chairman for Culture, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The Major Oak touches people’s hearts and their imagination. We were delighted that it won the Woodland Trust’s England Tree of the Year title in December and hope that everyone can get behind our campaign to win this prestigious European title.

“The Major Oak is one of the most iconic and best known trees in the world and it would be a fitting tribute if it could win this European award.”

To vote in the Environmental Partnership Organisation contest, visit www.treeoftheyear.org between February 1 and February 28.

Stay up to date on the competition: www.facebook.com/visitsherwood and @NottsCC
#TOTY and #VoteMajorOak

View the video on the Nottinghamshire County Council Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/nottscc