A PLAQUE to celebrate a 25-year partnership between Mitsubishi Motors and Badminton Horse Trials has been unveiled on the estate.

The plaque, which was revealed by the Duchess of Beaufort, in in the centre of a copse of 25 oak, beech, maple and lime trees.

The Duchess, who is a keen gardener, said: "The Duke and all of his family are delighted that a copse has been planted on Badminton Estate to mark the 25 years of partnership with Mitsubishi Motors.

"Badminton Estate is home to many hectares of woodland, thousands of trees, and so it is a fitting way to mark this special anniversary."

The Badminton Horse Trials were first launched in 1949, when the 10th Duke of Beaufort decided to hold events on his estate so that British riders could practice for upcoming international events.

Today, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials is the most prestigious three-day-event in the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of people through the gates each year, especially on cross country day.

Hugh Thomas, director of Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, said: "A plantation of 25 young trees will take a long time to mature but it will be a fitting memory of Mitsubishi's first 25 years."

Mitsubishi Motors UK, based in Cirencester, took over the main sponsorship of the Badminton Horse Trials initially for three years.

Speaking at the unveiling Lance Bradley, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK's MD, said: "We wanted to do something to mark out first 25 years with Badminton that would be an enduring reminder of the partnership.

"Planting these trees on such a beautiful estate seemed perfect."

Badminton Horse Trials opens on May 4-8 and tickets are on sale from www.badminton-horse.co.uk