A woman in West Yorkshire has been cheering up residents in her village and hopes to raise money to support the NHS with a rather special gesture after being inspired by the fundraising exploits of Captain Tom Moore.

Lynne Hodgkinson, 51, has been dressing a special tree throughout lockdown with a different theme to raise a smile among the community in Fenay Bridge, Huddersfield.

So impressed are local residents by the affectionately named happy tree, that some have been moved to tears and even taken to changing their daily exercise routines to walk past Lynne and admire her latest design.

Creations the florist of 30 years has so far displayed for the local community include an Easter tribute which had more than 200 eggs hanging from her apple tree.

Lynne Hodgkinson, from in West Yorkshire, has been cheering up residents in her village and hopes to raise money to support the NHS with her special tree design after being inspired by the fundraising exploits of Captain Tom Moore. Photo credit: Jonathan Gawthorpe/ JPIMedia Resell

After being inspired by Captain Tom Moore's exploits, which saw his charity challenge so far raise almost £30m to support the NHS, Lynne told The Yorkshire Post she made the decision to create a special design dedicated to the NHS.

"This is about giving back to the community and supporting the NHS," she said.

"Tom inspired me - what he has done is incredible and it shows what good you can do in the world if you put your mind to it.

The stem happy tree has been adorned with more than 600 blue and white ribbons and 60 hanging flower vases to celebrate the NHS. Photo credit: Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPIMediaResell

"I love using this creative outlet and it's also cheering people up as they walk past and it's making them stop and talk.

"I have met so many lovely people and that is the best thing about it. It's been good for my soul."

Aided by her close friend and retired paediatric nurse Judy Nichols, the pair, while keeping social distancing, have adorned the tree with more than 600 blue and white ribbons and 60 hanging flower vases.

Judy, 55, who previously worked on the children's ward at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, said she was driven to do the project to show support to the NHS frontline in their fight against Covid-19.

Lynne Hodgkinson from Fenay Bridge (right) was aided by her close friend and retiredpaediatric nurseJudy Nichols while keeping social distancing. Photo credit: Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPIMediaResell

"Those nurses and NHS staff at the moment are going through a really trying and difficult times, " she said.

"This has really given me a focus - and all of this is about raising money for NHS charities.

"What we've done is something feel good at a time when the whole world is not in a good place."

Pictured Lynne Hodgkinson the founder of Stems Designs. Usually at this time of year the florist would be busy preparing elaborate floral designs for weddings, however her attention is now concerned to raising as much money as possible to her chosen NHS charity.Photo credit: Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPIMediaResell.

Miss Hodgkinson hopes to raise at least £500 for My Hospitals Charity and The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and intends to add thousands more during the coronavirus lockdown with future designs.

"I want it to be the tree that always keeps on giving," she said.

Already in the pipeline are plans for a special VE Day anniversary tribute for May, followed by a commiseration Wimbledon design aimed to cheer up sporting fans after the popular tennis event and British institution was officially called off this summer.

"I'm going to be very busy up and down those ladders," said Lynne.

"While we're still in isolation, it would be quite nice to dress it every month so that the local community can enjoy just a little bit of happiness coming down our lane."

Miss Hodgkinson creative efforts appear to be paying off as the happy tree has caused much attention in the local area.

Talented Yorkshire woman's special tree tribute to raise money for NHS