Residents 'aghast' that ancient trees in Charing have been felled by loggers are hoping an order to protect them will be made permanent.

An estimated five cubic metres of timber has been cleared from an area along Stalisfield Road, prompting Ashford Borough Council to introduce the temporary Tree Preservation Order (TPO).

Following a visit to the site that lies within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, tree officer Phillip Cook had concerns wood was being removed by individuals who did not appear to have a felling licence, or be working under a woodland management plan.

Resident Meg Lawrence, who lives behind Woodville Farm, first noticed the felling in September.

The 54-year-old said: "I was walking my puppy across the back of a field and this beautiful piece of ancient woodland is adjacent to our farm so it's somewhere I have known for 40 years.

"I’ve never seen a soul in that woodland before but I couldn't believe it when there were three men with a great big bonfire with chainsaws.

"When I approached them to try to ascertain what they were doing, one told me my father-in-law, who is almost 92, had given him permission to cut them down and I know for a fact that is bonkers.

"They say they are going to replant things but they are only tiny little saplings which doesn't compare to a beautiful tree supporting wildlife.

"Once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.

"I’m aghast at what has been happening in the ancient woodland and we now have this battle to try and save it."

A TPO is a legal tool which is designed to prevent harm to trees.

It makes it a criminal offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or wilfully destroy protected trees without consent.

So far 29 residents, alongside Miss Lawrence, have written in support of the TPO which was introduced in November.

Members of the public have until January 5 to share their comments for the council to assess before making its decision.

The council then has up to six months to make a final decision on whether to confirm the TPO.

If an objection is made it has to be considered by either the head of planning and development, or the planning committee.

Vicky Ellis, general manager at Campaign to Protect Rural England in Kent, has also written an email to Ashford Borough Council in support of the TPO remaining in place.

The order says: "Any further felling will necessitate a felling licence to be applied for, and, as is good silvicultural practice, a woodland management plan should be drawn up.

"Concern exists that further unregulated felling may occur and damage the biodiversity and character of the Ancient Woodland also leading to a significant amenity impact."

Despite the destruction, The Forestry Commission says it visited in early December soon after the activity was reported and found no breaches in the law.

It says it welcomes any further information to its national enquiries line on 03000 674000 or by emailing nationalenquiries@foresrtycommission.gov.uk.

The body manages the felling licence system and says within the exemptions a person may harvest five cubic metres of timber per quarter without the need for a licence.

This changes once a TPO is served or when the land is in a conservation area.

In this case, before the TPO was introduced, the trees were vulnerable and resident fear without the permanent protection, further destruction will only continue.

Anyone who wants to comment on the order can email planning.help@ashford.gov.uk quoting reference number TPO/21/00014.