FEARS ancient trees could topple on to houses in an Oswaldtwistle street have been raised with the council.

Recent storms toppled one tall tree in Rhyddings Park, and it has led to calls for soil to be analysed.

Coun Peter Britcliffe was contacted by a Malvern Avenue resident, and said it was a miracle nobody was hurt or killed when the tree fell.

The resident said: “Luckily, there was nobody hurt. It was really distressing. My husband and my boy had just returned and had just driven along Dene Bank and nearly crashed into it.

“My kids got really upset that night, and worried, especially because we sleep at the front of the house.

“The trees opposite our houses never seem to be maintained or trimmed down. My cousin, who is a tree surgeon, said the tree that fell was a beech, a really heavy tree with shallow roots, and with wet ground was a disaster waiting to happen. The trees in Rhyddings Park are not maintained enough. They are becoming too big and far too top heavy. I really don't want to be in the position where something serious has to happen before any action is taken.”

Council workers inspected the trees along Malvern Avenue and said it would remove two of them as a precaution.

But Coun Britcliffe has called on the council to inspect the soil to make sure the trees are safe.

Cabinet member for parks, Coun Ciaran Wells, said: “Resident safety is paramount and tree officers have inspected the trees in the area and made an assessment, which confirms that most of the trees appear to be in good condition.

“But there are two which, although they are not immediately dangerous, will be removed.

“Sadly, even healthy trees are not impervious to 80 mph winds and that’s why this tree came down.”