A BURNLEY landowner could face prosecution for felling four 100-year-old trees.

Steven Potts, of Hollins Farm, Red Lees Road, Cliviger, was reported to the Forestry Commission after chopping down the oak trees on his land in November.

Villagers, who called the police and Burnley Borough Council when they spotted the work being carried out, complained about wildlife being disrupted.

Neighbours are also concerned the removal of the trees has dramatically changed their view.

The Forestry Commission has investigated and today said it had passed the file to the Department of the Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which could prosecute Mr Potts under the Forestry Commission Act 1967.

Mr Potts defended the move and said he was just trying to make a living after the farming industry dried up.

He added: "I know people who have been in the tree felling business for 30 years and they have never heard of such action being taken.

"One tree was diseased and another had a huge branch hanging off, so all the fuss is being made over two trees.

"I did not do this for commercial venture, so far I have spent £685 and haven't made a penny from felling them. There weren't any Tree Preservation Orders on the trees so I can't see that I did anything wrong."

Stuart Granger, licensing manager for the Forestry Commission, confirmed the matter had been passed to DEFRA.

Speaking from the National Office in Cambridge, he said: "We had a report in November of a possible breach of felling regulations outlined in the Forestry Commission Act 1967.

"Our officers are obliged to investigate if permission to carry out felling was not granted.

"If somebody wants to fell trees they are exempt if the trees are dead, if they are dangerous to a third person or if there's work being carried out by a body like Railtrack.

"This is a routine investigation but we had to decide if we thought it was worth referring it to DEFRA, which we did with a possible view to prosecution.

"It may not come to that but the matter has to be investigated. The decision whether to take any action will be made mid-May."