A woman has exchanged wedding vows with a tree in an attempt to bring attention to the destruction of green spaces near where she lives.

Kate Cunningham, 34, from Melling, Merseyside, tied the knot with an elder tree in Rimrose Valley Park, in Litherland, as family and friends watched on this weekend.

The mother-of-two, who wore an olive green dress, a home-made skirt and green pumps for the event, also announced that she would be changing her name by deed poll to Kate Rose 'Elder', after the species of tree to which she is now married.

Kate Cunningham (pictured), 34, from Melling, on Merseyside, married an elder tree in Rimrose Valley Park in Litherland on September 7th in protest at plans to build a bypass through her local country park

Miss Cunningham, who wore an olive green dress, a home-made skirt and green pumps for the event, was married by the local actor, musician, and poet, Davy Edge (left)

The mother-of-two, who also has a boyfriend, announced that she would be changing her surname to 'Elder' after the species of tree to which she is now married

She said: 'At first it was just an idea. Then we decided that we were going to make it happen.

'It's a great day for all the local community to come together. It's our day.'

The symbolic ceremony, which was attended by dozens of guests and was performed by local actor, musician, and poet, Davy Edge, is the latest attempt by local residents to halt plans to build a new bypass through Rimrose Valley.

The bypass, proposed by Highways England, is a three-mile long dual carriage intended to ease traffic congestion into the Port of Liverpool.

Miss Cunningham said that she was inspired by female activists from Mexico who held similar ceremonies to bring attention to illegal logging and land clearing, and that she hoped to draw attention to the campaign to save Rimrose Valley park.

The former primary school behaviour support assistant said her family and boyfriend were supportive of her decision.

She said: 'My boyfriend is very supportive of my decision. He's even helped make props for the ceremony.

'My oldest son was initially embarrassed when I told him I was going to do it, but he decided to come to the ceremony. It means a lot to him to be there.

The ceremony was the latest attempt by local residents to stop plans to build a new three-mile long bypass through Rimrose Valley

'My dad has been very supportive. He's been out in his van helping to organise everything for the big day.'

Wishing to get the full bridal experience, Miss Cunningham added that she also treated herself to a hen party the night before her big day.

She continued: 'We had a little hen gathering in Rimrose last night by the tree to mark the occasion.'

My boyfriend is very supportive of my decision. He's even helped make props for the ceremony... Kate Cunningham

The environmental activist said she felt that she needed to take more of an unconventional approach to raising awareness of the fate of Rimrose Valley.

She added: 'The spark for this idea came when it was announced that road was going to be built.

'I've been a protester marching in street demonstrations with thousands of other people but it doesn't attract enough attention from people.

The former primary school behaviour support assistant said she was was inspired by female activists from Mexico who held similar ceremonies to bring attention to illegal logging and land clearing

'I want people to engage with the campaign and raise questions about the destruction of our green space. There are plenty of local people who aren't even aware of what is happening.

'This is particularly close to my heart. My mum died of an asthma attack and I suffer from a lung condition called bronchiectasis which means that my own lungs are prone to infection.

'Plans to bulldoze this beautiful place for yet another busy road makes no sense and are an attack on our health.

'There is already too much pollution in our region and we desperately need a solution which addresses this; not one which will make it even worse.'