BATTLING residents may hire their own expert in a fight to stop the felling of a group of trees.

Insurers are recommending to the York Diocese of the Church of England that 11 pine trees are cut down - part of a belt of 17, 100-year-old pines growing close to Loftus parsonage.

An arborist has told the diocese two of the trees are diseased and sickly, while others are in a poor condition with damaged roots, giving rise to fears that they could fall on the parsonage or a nearby road.

Despite Redcar and Cleveland Council's own arborist having no objections to the felling, council leader Councillor Dave Walsh wants the diocese to reconsider.

The Loftus ward councillor said: "We are going to ask the diocese if it can think again. If there are a couple of trees which are diseased and in a poor state we have no objection to them coming down, but we would like as many trees as possible left.

"There is strong feeling in Loftus about this.''

Resident Michelle Kingston said: "We may look into having an independent arborist come and have a look at it.''

She said of the pine trees: "They are very much part of the character of the area and one of the reasons why people live here, because of the trees and the countryside.

"People here feel trees are being cut down in an almost arbitrary way.''

Loftus Parish Councillor David Fitzpatrick has been surprised at the strength of the pro-tree lobby. He said: "It's a great shame if these trees have to go. They are historic and it's a nice part of the town which we want to conserve.''

A spokesman for the diocese said: "Our fear is that they could come down on to the house or road.''