A POETIC, eleventh-hour protest against trees in St David's Wood, Blackwood, being bulldozed to make way for the Sirhowy Enterprise Way was made yesterday.

Demonstrators pinned protest poems to trees in part of the wood known as The Dingle, which will be felled to make way for the Sirhowy Enterprise Way.

The protest came as Caerphilly council prepares to sign the contract with the company that will be responsible for building the two-mile £55 million road.

Among the protesters were Irene and John Jones, parents of the Manic Street Preachers' Nicky Wire. Nicky's brother, poet Patrick Jones, had written several poems displayed on the oak and beech trees.

Mrs Jones, who has fought against the destruction of the trees for 11 years,said she felt "shattered".

She placed a bunch of flowers next to 'Number 1 tree', and said she felt she had failed the trees.

"They have been here for so long, hundreds of years, yet they will be gone in a moment," she added. "This is a very spiritual place."

Mrs Jones pinned up one of her own poems on a tree, which ends: "I need you now to save me, I do not want to die. I close my eyes and cry." Nicky Wire also wrote a poem which ended: "So who can hear the screams Of a thousand dying trees? My mother can."

Mr Jones said he hoped people would read the poems and add their own. Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge said: "This is very sad and disappointing. This is part of Blackwood's heritage."

Resident Ken Davies added: "I have lived in Blackwood for 73 years and to see this go is disgusting."

Caerphilly council argue the road is vital to help create 5,000 jobs at Oakdale business park.