The iconic Umbrella Tree of East Cowes has been "set free" of its barriers and has been adorned with homemade signs and wind chimes by happy local residents.

The barriers came down on Friday around the weeping ash following safety work undertaken by volunteers, making the tree safe.

The tree was planted more than a century ago, by Queen Victoria's former roads manager.

The tree has been threatened for years with being chopped down, due to it being deemed unsafe and dying from disease.

Isle of Wight County Press: While the tree works were underwayWhile the tree works were underway (Image: Pamela Parker)

An inspection of the tree carried out for the Isle of Wight Council in 2017 found it had a fungal infection.

It needed help to remain standing, and has received support from locals, and even had celebrity endorsement when Chris Packham Tweeted his support for a campaign to save the tree.

Safety barriers had long been an unsightly feature around the tree, which stands opposite Co-op.

Isle of Wight County Press: A sign pinned to the treeA sign pinned to the tree (Image: Pamela Parker)

Isle of Wight County Press: One of the signs adorning the Umbrella TreeOne of the signs adorning the Umbrella Tree (Image: Pamela Parker)Cllr Karl Love, ward member for the area, praised the "wonderful effort" by the friends of East Cowes Umbrella Tree and East Cowes Community Partnership, who worked together to raise funds and sort out the many technical issues.