Council to save 200-year-old oak

More than 2,000 people signed a petition to keep the oak

A Somerset town council has reversed a decision to fell a 200-year-old tree.

Campaigners battling to save the Lucombe oak at Henhayes in Crewkerne got together a petition of more than 2,000 names.

On Monday night, after arboreal experts from Germany had examined the tree, Crewkerne Town Council voted to save it, at least for the next three years.

A council spokeswoman said more tests would be needed and that preservation costs would reach about £10,000.

'Death warrant'

In a statement, the preservation campaign group said: "The council voted to save this magnificent tree, one of the biggest and best in the country, and invest in its long-term future to preserve it as an asset for the whole community to enjoy.

"This tree was given a death warrant only three months ago.

"But, in what we think is a first in the UK, people power and the use of precise scientific equipment flown in from Germany have proved that the tree has a long-term future."

Campaigners said the group had spent more than £2,500 in its fight to save the tree.

The council spokeswoman added: "The arborist says at the moment the tree is satisfactory, although it has seriously defective roots."

Local arborists had refused to fell the oak, saying all options had to be examined.