It's finally going! After two months of misery, a tree that toppled onto two houses in Walderslade is being removed today.

The 50ft leylandii is being taken away after eight weeks of disputes, bad weather and mechanical failures.

A crane has been hired to do the work, which is expected to take all day. The vehicle arrived the morning and a small crowd quickly gathered in the street.

The tree was blown down in strong winds on Christmas Eve. It fell on to the homes of Heidi Brett and Geoff Blackman, destroying Mr Blackman's fence and blocking the windows of the upper floors of the terraced houses.

As a safety precaution Ms Brett had to switch off the electricity to the top two floors of her house in Harptree Drive.

When it rains, water has been coming through the ceiling and running down the walls. The joists in the roof are soaked and cracks are appearing in the ceilings and walls.

The fallen trees form part of a high hedge belonging to the Stenning family, who live in a bungalow on King George Road.

A dispute broke out between the insurance companies over who was responsible for organising and paying for the removal of the tree.

That was resolved and work to remove the tree was due to start on Friday, but the crane booked to do the work broke down.

Stories you might have missed

'IRA group behind' devices sent to Army offices

Man accused of squirting 'drain cleaner' at teens

Campaign to paint it gold for Kent's Olympics hero

Man killed after car overturns on M20 is named