A GROUP of campaigners are celebrating after a row of historic lime trees were saved from the axe.

The nine trees in York Street, Clitheroe, were earmarked for destruction by Ribble Valley and county council safety chiefs who claimed the roots had become unstable.

Previous work to install cable trunking in the pavement is thought to have severed many of the roots but United Utilities denies breaching environmental guidelines with the work in the spring.

The roots were also damaging the pavement outside Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.

The threat to cut down the trees, planted in 1916, led Clitheroe Civic Society to start a campaign for their survival.

Two members handed in a 650-name petition to Ribble Valley Council in July and met council officials to discuss possible alternatives.

Now it has been decided to cut down just two of the trees which had become too unstable. The roots of the other seven were deemed to be strong enough to safely support the trees.

Pauline Wood, who headed the campaign, said: "We have managed to save most of the trees from destruction and we can see that there are two diseased trees which we can't keep."

However, she expressed concern about plans to carry out pollarding on the remaining seven trees, a process which will see up to 40 per cent of the canopy cut away.

Up to three new trees will replace the two being taken down and Ribble Valley council leader Mike Ranson said they would choose a species more suitable to an urban environment.

Mr Ranson said: "The size of the trees needs controlling and pollarding needs to be carried out. I am sure it will be done in a professional manner."