TREES that commemorate battles fought in St Albans during the War of the Roses are now in full bloom.

The red and white cherry trees have recently burst into bloom along Sandridge Road, between Sandridge Cricket Club and The King William IV pub.

The trees were planted by the council to mark the first and second battles of St Albans which were fought during the Wars of the Roses in 1455 and 1461.

The petals’ colour represents the two opposing sides – the red of the House of Lancaster and the white of the House of York.

The first battle saw 3,000 Yorkists emerge victorious against 2,500 Lancastrians in an engagement that took place near Sandridge Road.

But the Lancastrians gained their revenge in the 1461 battle when their forces of around 15,000 defeated 10,000 Yorkists and seized control of St Albans city centre.

Jane Kelsall has been a resident of St Albans for her entire life and has enjoyed seeing the cherry trees bloom in Spring each year she’s lived in the city. She feels they are particularly spectacular this year.

Mrs Kelsall, of Avenue Road, who has worked as a guide at St Albans Abbey for 35 years, said: “There is something sensationally extravagant about cherry blossom trees.”