A FATHER said he was overwhelmed by the response from Argus readers after he appealed to find a new home for an oak tree planted in his son's memory.

Shaun McGuire said he was touched by kind offers from Gwent organisations and residents to look after the 32-year-old tree.

Mr McGuire started growing the tree three decades ago in memory of his baby son Brendan, who died just 36 hours after being born.

The acorn is now a 3ft-high Oak tree after spending years growing in a plastic dustbin.

Baby Brendan died in May 1974 after an unsuccessful operation at Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital to correct an intestinal problem.

The tree, which is becoming too big for Mr McGuire to care for, now looks set to have a new home at the Caerleon campus of the University of Wales Newport.

Head Groundsman Mike Davies contacted the Argus to offer the McGuire's tree a place at the site's Field of Hope, which was set up in conjunction with the Marie Curie charity after a student suffering from cancer died.

Mr Davies said the McGuire family could visit the tree whenever they wished.

Following the Argus appeal, Mr McGuire received four offers to give the tree a new home.

The Woodland Trust, gardener Mike Jones, from Redwick, and Roger Smith, from Undy all offered to help Mr McGuire.

"I was emotional when I heard of the offers. It is very kind and I will be thanking people personally," Mr McGuire added.