Controversial sports pitch work starts at Perth Academy

Work has begun on the controversial sports pitch at Perth Academy which created a storm of protest when a 200-year-old tree had to be felled to make way for it.

Despite a high-profile campaign by staff, pupils and former pupils, the Scots pine which has been chosen as the national tree of Scotland was axed.

The issue was made more emotive as the tree had become associated with a memorial to youngsters who lost their lives in a road accident in 2009.

A bench which sat under the tree had been placed there in memory of former academy pupil Callum Owen and his brother, Ethan.