A QUARTET of local legends returned' to their original standing points in Four Ashes last Saturday during a special planting ceremony.

The four ash trees that give the hamlet its name had slowly disappeared after being blown down in storms and suffering from disease.

But after Hughenden Parish Council was approached by Hughenden Valley Residents' Association, the two groups clubbed together to buy four new saplings and replace the trees.

Chris Morley, chairman of the parish council, donned his welly boots to plant the last of the trees along Four Ashes Road at the weekend.

In a speech to those that gathered to watch the planting, he explained the area's history and said Four Ashes had often been linked with spooky goings on.

He said: "It is the start of one of the principal ley lines an imaginary line between important places such as hills or churches believed to be where there were very old paths in the area, and there are many reported sightings of ghosts and visions along Four Ashes road.

"Those of innocent women drowned in Hags Pit just down the road as a result of their trial by water for alleged witchcraft, and the Green Man appearing outside the Garden of Rest.

"But we are here today for a much more prosaic reason - to re-establish this little copse of four ash trees, and to celebrate the day when the hamlet of Four Ashes can once again live up to its name."

The ancient hamlet is a well established area of the district and can be found marked on maps dating back to the mid-18th century.