Hiroshima tree seeds take root in Leicester eight decades after atomic bomb attack

Tree seeds from Hiroshima have been planted - and taken root - in Leicester to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender after the Second World War . Hiroshima was one of two Japanese cities that came under atomic bomb attack in 1945, instantly killing more than 200,000 civilians and bringing an end to the bloody war in the Pacific.

The seeds, from a ginkgo tree that survived the bombing, were given to Leicester City Council by the Mayors for Peace organisation. They were passed on to the University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden, in Stoneygate , earlier this year and took root ahead of the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, which was celebrated earlier this month.

Six seeds have successfully germinated. When they are big enough, one will be planted out in the garden for people to