As many as 400 people threw a light on the history of an ancient Dartmoor oak at the weekend as never before.

The crowds had gathered at East Dartmoor Nature Reserve on Saturday evening for a lantern walk to celebrate the life of the 500-year-old Rudge Oak.

The specimen, which stands close to the River Bovey near Lustleigh, died many years ago after a lightning strike.

However, its dramatic 'skeleton' still provides a home and food source to many creatures and remains a central feature of woodland life.

In recent weeks children from a number of primary schools in the area have been working with Andy Bailey from Natural England to create paper lanterns and learn about all things arboreal.

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