PROTECTED trees have been chopped down by builders to make way for homes in Tottington.

Mr Bill Howard, of Bury Road, who witnessed the trees being axed, said: "The trees had been there for years. It is devastating.

"Villagers were told the trees, off Bury Road, would be protected but they have now gone," said Mr Howard. He claimed four trees had been felled.

The villager who has lived in Tottington for the more than 30 years added: "These trees were fully grown when I moved here so they are quite old."

Bury Council's planning officer confirmed that two of the trees had preservation orders on them. But Morris Homes insist they have done nothing wrong and were given council permission to axe the trees.

A planning spokesman said an officer had visited the site and had "condemned" the trees after they became unsafe following the "change in site levels" created as a result of the development.

A spokesman for Morris Homes said: "After consultation between our landscape architect and the tree officer at Bury Council, it was agreed that the trees in question were low quality specimens and in a poor condition, hence Bury Council provided us with written consent to remove them."