CAMPAIGNERS are angry that Ribble Valley Council wants to cut down 41 of the trees round Clitheroe Castle, to make the grounds look better.

The clusters of centuries old beech, ash, oak, and sycamore trees that surround the keep are scheduled to be reduced to 41 stumps at the end of September.

John Heap, director of commercial services at Ribble Valley Council, said their removal would make the keep more visible from all round, restoring the grounds to how they once were.

He added that some of the trees were also damaging the castle's mound. He said the grounds had 700 trees and they were to plant some more.

But still a group of six residents, including Councillor Alan Yearing, are trying to organise a group to protest against this action and save the trees.

They have organised two petitions one with 300 names, and the other with 400.

The group plans is to step up its action as the deadline nears.

One of the members, Jo Harding, is willing to go to any lengths to save the trees.

Jo lives on Shawbridge Street, Clitheroe and is the owner of the town's Roundstone Books. "If you cut them down it would take around 80 years before they grow back again," Jo said.

"Every other borough is planting trees and are more environmentally aware, so we cannot believe it.

"It is only 41 trees but they are all in the same place so it makes it worse. This will not restore the Castle to what it was.

"I've got photos of the keep during the Second World War, First World War, in the 1920s, 1890s, 1880s, and 1870s and they all show trees on the mound.

"They are restoring the keep to what it was like in the 12th century, but then it needed to be clear because it was part of its defences." Coun Alan Yearing said he had been involved with the group for around three months.

He added that a council decision had been made to remove the trees, but he was objecting as a resident.

He explained: "The reason I am concerned is because if they remove the trees around the keep completely and then find it really doesn't look quite as they expected there is no way they can put them back."

Mr Heap said: "It's a small part of a landscape scheme to restore the castle grounds to how they where 50 years ago, and it formed part of a submission for a lottery grant four years ago.

"This was unsuccessful but we are trying to achieve the same objectives but with our own cash.

"It is a watered down version but we are still trying to restore the grounds to what they were.

"The issue is close to the hearts of many people who don't want the trees to be cut but they are damaging the castle mound and obscuring the keep.

"A lot of attention is being paid to them but we will be planting trees elsewhere in the castle. We are planning to cut 41 trees out of 700, and that is not a high proportion."