A NORTH-EAST woman is begging local councillors to allow her neighbour's huge tree to be chopped back - because it depresses her.

Large branches of the 40ft Cedar of Lebanon tree hang over her garden at Jepson Cottage, in Heighington, near Darlington, blocking out the sunshine.

Annabel Beattie claims it has led to her suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, a condition associated with depression and related to seasonal variations in light.

The tree grows in the grounds of next door Trafalgar House and is subject to a preservation order. It also lies within the Heighington Conservation Area.

Ms Beattie applied to Darlington Borough Council's planning department to have the tree pruned.

The move was supported by Heighington Parish Council and Hap Funk, owner of Trafalgar House.

Mr Funk said: "We have no problem with getting it trimmed."

At this week's planning committee meeting, she told councillors that the tree is intimidating. "The tree is detrimental to my health," she said. "It also kills my grass, shrubs and plants."

She urged councillors to allow some of the branches to be lopped. But planning officer Jeremy Smith said this would be detrimental to the conservation area.

Chair of the committee, Councillor Frank Robson, said: "Anybody buying property in that vicinity must have been aware of this beautiful tree."

Councillors refused permission for the tree to be pruned and Ms Beattie vowed to appeal.