Three lime trees at a busy park will be chopped down amid fears they could topple over close to visitors.

The plants in Dane John Gardens, Canterbury, are afflicted with a fungus called Ganaderma, which rots wood.

After monitoring the trees for a number of months, Canterbury City Council has announced that it will start removing them on December 14 in order to protect park goers.

Spokesman Rob Davies said: "They have now reached the stage where they need to be felled.

"The three trees are all next to busy pedestrian areas and as their condition worsens, the risk of them coming down increases.

"Felling them is not an easy decision and we have considered it very carefully, but public safety must always be our priority."

Mr Davies says the trees will not be replaced immediately as consent from Historic England will have to be secured before any digging below 300mm can commence.

The authority also believes that the remaining plants may not allow new ones to receive the levels of shade and water necessary for them to grow.

"However, we have wider improvements planned for the Dane John over the next year or two, including a children's play area, new paths and better lighting," Mr Davies added.

"Replacement tree planting will be considered as part of this bigger project and we will work with local groups such as the Friends of the Dane John to ensure they are involved."

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