SAFETY concerns have led to a decision to fell a total of 33 trees along the main drive of a leading hotel.

The trees, which have stood for more than 100 years at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors, are suffering from extensive internal decay which has left their trunks weakened and could make them dangerous in high winds.

The decay affecting approximately half the lime trees in the avenue along the drive from Blackburn Road was discovered by tree experts contracted to look at the trees.

The damage is 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.

And because the decay is in the tree bottoms there is potentially inadequate support for the substantial weight of the trunks that have grown since the pollarding period. The five most dangerous trees have already been felled and a further 28 will be taken down next week.

Coun Janet Storey said: "These trees are a focal feature of the area and it is shame that they must be taken down but it is a necessity. I worry though that when this sort of work is done they never seem to replace with what they take away and will keep an eye on what is being done."

The affected trees are covered by a Tree Preservation Order which gives Hyndburn Borough Council the power to insist that those felled are replaced and the Dunkenhalgh has made plans to plant 60 new lime trees behind the existing ones to ensure the avenue of trees is maintained along the driveway.

Gerry McGee, regional director of the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, said: "We are pleased to be pro-actively protecting and maintaining the long term beauty of this historic line of trees."

Hyndburn Council Trees and Woodlands officer Mark Cocks said: "Topping or pollarding trees allows fungus to attack which then causes serious decay problems years later.

"The rot in the lower parts of the trees makes them potentially dangerous in high winds but the Dunkenhalgh Hotel is acting very responsibly by acting early to prevent this kind of disaster.

"Pollarding used to be common practice but was stopped when it became apparent how destructive it can be.

"We are pleased that the Dunkenhalgh will be replacing all the trees as this avenue of limes is a major local landscape feature."