NATURE-loving neighbours have breathed a sigh of 're-leaf' after being assured an historic tree is not destined for the chop.

Sandra Cooper and David Ainsworth, of Earnsdale Road, Darwen, feared the massive sycamore would be felled after workmen cut back bushes and shrubbery to start work on repairing an embankment in Sunnyhurst Woods.

The local landmark, which is believed to be about 90 years old, stands opposite their homes, on a patch of land owned by Darwen-based firm, St Regis Paper Co Ltd.

But the two neighbours, who called on the council to slap a preservation order on the tree, were celebrating when bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council discovered the tree already had a preservation order on it.

And the company today revealed that they had no plans to pull it down anyway.

Sandra, 59, was delighted at the news just days after preparing to launch a 'save the tree' campaign and said: "I was over the moon when they phoned me to tell me they'd found a preservation order on it.

"It's such a beautiful tree and it's been there such a long time. It would have been a real shame if they would have had to cut it down."

David said: "My view on cutting down trees is that anybody who chops them down could not possibly replace them in their lifetime and you shouldn't do things you can't undo.

"It would have been very sad if it would have gone because it's such a nice tree. By the size of it I'd say it was about 90 years old." Pete Ross, an engineer at the company's paper mill, reassured residents the tree had never been in any danger of being cut down and said: "We are currently carrying out repair works to an embankment in the wood after a tree fell down into the water last winter because of the bad weather and damaged the banking.

"We are aware of the preservation order on this particular tree and of those on many other trees in the wood as well. We will not be cutting any of them down because of our repairs. There will just be a small digger going on site."

Graham Cowley, assistant director of technical services at the council said: "We have been contacted by a resident regarding the tree on land off Earnsdale Road. There is an existing tree preservation order in force which makes it illegal for anyone to fell the tree without first seeking permission from the council."