Fourth generous tree gift to the town

Fish and chip shop owner Daniel Petitt, 35, who owns five shops from Portland to Hamworthy has branched out for a fourth time, donating a £400 palm tree to welcome people to the borough.

The latest act of generosity was planted on the Foords Corner roundabout and will add to trees at Chalbury Corner, the roundabout at the bottom of King Street and Nothe Gardens, giving the area a tropical feel.

Mr Petitt said: “I thought that the roundabout at Foords Corner needed a centrepiece – it’s on the way to the 2012 sailing events.”

Mr Petitt, who started up his first shop 12 years ago, said: “I just like to give something back to the town, and wanted to give something that will last a long time.

“If you donate money to something it’s gone, a plant will be there for people to enjoy for generations.”

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council gardeners Bryn Carter and Alan Knight planted the 8 feet Butia Capitata from Amulree Exotics,  on the roundabout.

Councillor Brendan Webster, brief holder for Leisure, Tourism and Community facilities, said: “This is a marvellous gesture, and the fact that Daniel has given four trees to the borough shows how passionate he is about Weymouth and Portland. I’d like to thank him.”