THE landmark avenue of lime trees approaching a hotel has been axed amid concerns for safety.

Fellers from Park View Landscape Maintenance, who are contracted to look after the trees, moved in this week to remove 28 trees along the drive of the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors.

Five of the worst had already been felled because of extensive internal decay which has left their trunks weakened and could have made them dangerous in high winds.

The damage was thought to have been caused by previous tree surgery, known as pollarding or topping, 30 years ago to cut back a number of branches. This procedure allowed water to leak into the wounds of the trees which then became infected with fungus.

The Dunkenhalgh has already made plans to plant 60 new lime trees behind the existing ones to ensure the avenue of trees is maintained along the driveway.