TREES planted alongside North Yorkshire's roads will eventually become a thing of the past because of heavy insurance claims being made against the county's highway authority.

Mike Masterman, head of environmental management at County Hall, said trees on roadsides were discouraged because it increased difficulties involved in accessing utilities, such as water and gas mains, under road verges.

There had also been some "fairly big claims" against the authority because of trees undermining buildings.

"We do keep a close eye on trees which are on the roadsides, and remove them when they become diseased or mature" he said.

Kirkbymoorside Town Council has had its insurance claim rejected for a large ash tree, which fell into a garden in the town's Manor Vale.

The town mayor, Tony Clark, said that trees created a worrying situation for local authorities because of the responsibility for them.

He feared that trees may have to be felled in some areas.

The town clerk, Robert Horne, said that many councils had been urged by insurance firms to have surveys carried out