TWO angry men became eco-warriors for a day and saved a 100-year-old tree from the axe by defiantly climbing into its branches.

Harry Iles and Andy Davies led a snap protest against a bid to fell the ancient Horse Chestnut in Abergavenny

Police were called when contractors arrived to cut down the tree and neighbours quickly rallied to save it.

One of them, Mrs Jean Semmens, of Mount Street, on whose land part of the horse-chestnut grows, said: "This is more than just a tree to me. I have lived here for 40 years and seen the seasons come and go."

It is understood the owner of the land which also claims the other part of the tree wanted it felled.

"It must be more than 100 years old because my grandfather was born in the house next door and he used to tell me about collecting conkers from the tree," said Mrs Semmens.

Neighbours Mr Iles and his wife, Ruth, joined her in the protest and Mr Iles climbed into the tree with19-year-old Mr Davies, a friend.

Their daughter Jo, 17, printed some flyers which she distributed in the neighbourhood appealing for people to join the campaign to save the tree.

Mrs Iles said: "My neighbours rang me to say they were very upset that the tree was to be felled and we went around before the contractors arrived.

"They were going to cut it down with us standing around, so I rang the police and they sent two officers, who stalled the contractors while I contacted Monmouthshire county council."

The council's tree officer, Jim Keech, confirmed the tree cannot be felled without permission, because it grows in the Abergavenny conservation area. Six weeks' notice has to be given to the planning authority and there was also an appeal procedure if the decision went against the applicant.

* In the picture: Harry Iles (right) and Andy Davies refuse to let contractors fell the conker tree

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