AN old sycamore tree, which was cut down because villagers feared it would collapse, has brought a protest from a councillor.

The rotting tree, in Hutton Magna, near Barnard Castle, was badly damaged in recent storms.

The parish council appealed to Teesdale District Council to remove it, and an officer ordered it should be cut down.

But district councillor William Salvin took exception to the decision, saying council members should be consulted before any action is taken.

He said: "I accept that it was in a bad way and needed felling, but I take issue with the fact that, as far as I know, no reporting was done from the officers to this committee, given that this tree is owned by this council."

At the last meeting of Teesdale District Council, members played down any need for officers to consult councillors before a tree was felled.

Councillor Ian Galletley said: "We are just putting extra work on officers. I just think we should get out of the way more. While we are fighting about this, the tree would have probably fallen on somebody.

"I'm sure the officers know a lot more about this than us and it really is time to use some common sense."

Members agreed to leave the felling of trees to the discretion of the officers.