A BOWL carved from a much loved tree that fell victim to disease last year is to return to Diss as a museum exhibit.The caucasian wingnut tree in Mount Street car park was cut down in August after it was attacked by infection.

A BOWL carved from a much loved tree that fell victim to disease last year is to return to Diss as a museum exhibit.

The caucasian wingnut tree in Mount Street car park was cut down in August after it was attacked by infection.

But retired civil servant Ken Nockles, 82, salvaged some of the wood and used his skills as a hobbyist wood turner to create a cup and vase from it.

'Because it was a beautiful and interesting tree, it seemed a good idea when it had to come down that there was something to commemorate it,' he said.

'Most of it, I fancy, went for firewood.'

He has kindly donated the cup to the Diss Museum on Mere Street, where it could be incorporated

into one of the ever-changing displays.

The wooden vase will remain with Mr Nockles, who lives in the Diss area, and is a member of the Palgrave Woodturners Group.

Diss Town Council announced last year that the tree was to be removed after an inspection by Ravencroft Arboricultural Services showed ta dangerous fungal infection had left it unstable. The tree is a common sight in Iran, Russia and Turkey, but relatively rare in Europe.