Campaigners are to apply for tree preservation orders in a bid to prevent over 50 trees close to Astley Hall from being felled.

A public meeting to discuss the plans was held last week where a number of groups agreed to form a coalition to oppose the plans, which would see 52 from the hundred or so trees surrounding the hall axed.

Those at the meeting at St Mary's church club, Devonshire Road, Chorley, on Thursday were shown displays indicating which trees were allocated for felling.

Some of them, which are mainly on the western bank of the lake, are hundreds of years old.

Cliff Jones of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), chaired the meeting. He said: "What is clear from the plans is that these trees are being sacrificed for purely aesthetic reasons. Removing them will open up views of Astley Hall as people walk through the park.

"But is it a price worth paying? It takes only a few minutes to destroy a tree, but decades to replace it.

"As for trees by the lake, they are vital to the variety of wildlife present in the park." A committee was formed at the meeting comprising of members of CPRE, Chorley Civic Society, The Friends of Astley Park and Chorley Pensioners' Group.

They resolved to apply for tree preservation orders in an attempt to at least delay the work, which could start as early as January 2006. The changes are part of a £2.5m Heritage Lottery Fund Grant designed to 'restore Astley park to its former glory'.

Chorley Borough Council, who are administering the project, declined to attend the meeting, citing lack of notice. They have been giving presentations on the work and have agreed to consult with interested parties on the park improvements.