A TREE near Northallerton, planted to commemorate the Queen's silver jubilee 24 years ago, is to be axed to increase the size of a layby in a bid to attract visitors to the area.

The tree is three miles north of Northallerton, on the A167, near the Battle of the Standard memorial, which commemorates a bloody conflict between the Scots and the English in the 12th Century.

The working party responsible for the monument is in consultations with North Yorkshire County Councils highways division over proposals to widen the layby, making it easier for tourists to visit the battlefield.

The group includes the local history and civic societies, Brompton Parish Council and the highways division. It is spearheaded by Hambleton District Council. Council officer Tony Robinson said: "The layby is chronically sub-standard. You can get a couple of cars in and that is about it. It needs an improved splay so cars can get into the traffic stream at speed."

The group had looked at moving the sandstone memorial from the A167 to Brompton Lane, which also borders the battlefield, but found there was not enough grass verge to support it.

The obelisk has been faceless since May, when thieves ripped off two bronze plaques commemorating the battle.

A stone carving will replace the plaques and a sign will be erected next to the monument with details of the battle, which took place in 1138. An army of Yorkshireman, raised by Archbishop Thurstan, of York, defeated King David I of Scotland's invading hordes.