The felling of a mighty tree, which has stood for more than 200 years in a park, got under way yesterday.

Experts say the beech tree, in Normandy Hall Park, near Middlesbrough, is riddled with disease and needs to be chopped down in the interests of public safety.

The task of removing the tree - which is 85ft (26m) high and measures nearly 15ft (4.3m) around its trunk - is expected to take four days.

Ged Demoily, parks and countryside manager with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said the decision to cut it down had not been taken lightly.

"Over the past two years, we have become more and more aware of the tree's condition. Several large limbs have been lost and it was failing rapidly," he said.

"Our policy is not to remove healthy trees but this tree is suffering from several different diseases, including root and stem decay. We have kept residents informed and believe they appreciate that, in the interests of public safety, it has to come down."

Once felling is complete, leaves and twigs from the tree will be taken to Kirkleatham Nurseries for recycling and some of the bigger logs will be used for seats in local schools.

The area will then be replanted in winter with several semi-mature trees.