THERE'S little sign of spring in the centre of Lancaster claims a local environment charity who are upset that the council has embarked on a programme of chopping down trees. Lancaster Green Spaces conducted a survey of the city's 'greenery' and were amazed to find that many of the small lime trees in the city centre had been uprooted. The group, which campaigns to make Lancaster a green and pleasant place to live, were also disappointed at the state of hanging baskets in the district which they claim were half-dead and uncared for.

Green Spaces Chairman, Alastair Simmons, said: "Urban street trees are vitally important for a number of reasons. They provide pleasant shade for residents taking a break from shopping or work, they help to keep the air clean by giving out moisture and oxygen, they add colour and freshness to otherwise dull city streets and they improve the quality of the environment for us all."

The charity has written to the council to express its concern at the felling of the lime trees and to ask that they be replaced. The trees have been cut down in Market Street and in and around Market Square.

Mr Simmons added: "We are very disappointed that the council is not making any apparent effort to brighten up the city or to maintain our trees."

Despite repeated attempts to obtain a statement from the council, none were successful at the time of going to press.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.