COUNCILLORS are being urged to approve a strategy aimed at tackling the problem of ageing trees in Darlington.

Darlington owes the many trees which line its streets and grace its cemeteries and parks to the Victorians, who planted them as a sign of the town's prosperity following the advent of the railways.

But some of the trees have reached maturity and there are fears that many could die during the next few years.

It is estimated that of the 4,200 street trees, about ten per cent may have to be removed or inspected amid fears that they are becoming unstable.

In addition to ageing, the trees are under constant attack from traffic pollution, road salt, severed roots when workers dig trenches, damage caused by vehicle collisions and a lack of moisture and nutrients underground.

To solve the problem, a five-year strategy has been drawn up, which recommends a programme of planting, educating people about the importance of trees, and involving businesses, developers, community organisations and individuals in projects to improve the level of tree cover.

Darlington Borough Council's environment scrutiny committee will be recommended to agree the tree strategy when it meets today.