LOFTUS residents hope some 100-year-old pine trees growing by a priest's parsonage can be saved from felling.

The Diocese of York has been recommended by insurers to cut down 11 of 17 pines near the home of Fr Tim Whitewell. The trees grow on a sloping garden at the corner of Micklow Lane and Springhead Terrace, and are close to a road. They are also home to a flock of crossbills.

An arborist's report suggests 11 trees are in poor condition. Roots were damaged during construction of the bungalow in the mid-Nineties. Some trees are diseased.

The root damage came to light during investigations to establish if the trees were causing subsidence. Insurers initially feared the large trees, growing close to the parsonage and a road, were taking too much moisture from the clay soil.

However, that is not now seen as a problem because the bungalow's foundations are sufficiently deep. But insurers remain concerned about the poor condition of the 11 trees, four of which have tree protection orders.

Since Redcar and Cleveland Council granted permission to fell the trees, some residents have objected. A site visit takes place tonight, at 6pm.

Objector Michelle Kingston, of Springhead Terrace, feared the loss was unnecessary. She told the D&S Times: "Many people who live here or walk here are quite angry about this. We will be attending tonight's site visit to show councillors we're unhappy. The trees are over 100 years old, some have preservation orders on them and they are attractive.

"In addition, they have become home to crossbill birds, which are quite unusual. Crossbills usually live in forests and there must be about 30 of them here, feeding on seeds from pine cones."

She emphasised there was no ill-feeling toward Fr Whitewell, who had not been at the bungalow very long.

Diocese Press spokesman Martin Sheppard said: "Surveys show the foundations are deep enough but the tree roots were cut during building work. Our insurers have concerns about the health of the trees, some of which are just over a metre from the house wall.

"An arborist concluded one or two trees are quite sickly. The leaves are yellow and diseased, and the other trees have been poorly managed. Our fear is that they could come down on to the house or road."

He confirmed the diocese proposed 11 trees be cut down and replaced with more appropriate birch saplings. But he added: "We have not yet received formal notification from Redcar and Cleveland Council. The diocese is still sitting tight."

Coun David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, hoped a compromise could be reached.

* Comments can be sent to the diocesan parsonages' board at Diocese House, Aviator Court, Clifton Moor, York, YO30 4WJ.