COUNCILLORS have hit out at the decision to chop down "much-loved" trees in a Worcester street.

The cherry trees, on Commandery Road, were felled at the order of Worcestershire County Council on Friday morning.

Councillor Lynn Denham, who represents that ward on the city council, told the Worcester News: "I am absolutely furious about the removal of the trees. I have had no messages about them being removed.

"The trees are much-loved and are just about to come into blossom and I am very cross about it.

"Nobody has said anything to me about the trees being cut down and I am the ward councillor."

Mrs Denham's comments were echoed by fellow councillor Louise Griffiths, who, in a tweet, said: "I have just had a complaint from a resident of my ward about it and I can’t understand why they’ve been cut down.

"There’s no danger/obstruction from them as far as I can tell and they’re beautiful when in bloom."

Councillor Alan Amos, county council cabinet member for highways, said: "The county council is carrying out a programme of works to reduce congestion at a number of locations in the city centre including Croft Road, St John's and Sidbury.

"The works are largely funded through a successful £3.2million bid to the Department for Transport's National Productivity Investment Fund.

"The Sidbury scheme will see the introduction of new traffic signals to improve efficiency at the junction of City Walls, Sidbury and Commandery Road.

"Three trees have been removed from Commandery Road ahead of the bird nesting season. The trees, which were coming towards the end of their life, will be replaced with other suitable species."