Dozens of trees posing a “significant health and safety risk” to woodland walkers are set to be chopped down.

About 90 of them at Larkey Valley Woods in Chartham, near Canterbury, are suffering from Ash dieback disease and cannot be saved but could fall onto people.

Canterbury City Council says emergency work to fell them will begin next week.

Although the wood will remain largely open, some areas will be closed where the felling is taking place.

The council’s cabinet member for open spaces, Cllr Charlotte Cornell (Lab), said: “This is very sad news and we regret the loss of any tree, but Larkey Valley Woods is fully accessible to the public and we simply cannot take the risk with people’s safety.

“There are hundreds of thousands of trees at this site so there will be no impact on the visual appearance of the woodland overall.

“It is highly likely people will not notice any difference, but we want to be open and honest about what is happening.

“The majority of felled trees will be left on site to create deadwood habitats.

“These habitats provide crucial ecosystem benefits - plants, animals and fungi will make use of decaying wood for nesting, shelter, larval development or nutrient recycling.

“We take our responsibilities towards the environment very seriously and are making the best out of what is a far from ideal situation.”

Ash Dieback is a disease spread from tree to tree in the wind and will eventually cause a tree to die.

Although the fungus-borne infection is not harmful to humans, the affected trees could start dropping branches or fall down completely posing a risk to people, according to advice from the Tree Council.

Those with dieback closest to the paths have been assessed by both the Kent Wildlife Trust and the Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership, and where required have been marked up for felling.

City council officers will be working closely with specialist tree surgeons to ensure the swift and responsible felling of the affected trees.

The council owns Larkey Valley Woods and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest that is managed in partnership with the Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership.

The wood supports important dormouse populations and orchids such as Fly Orchid and Lady Orchid.

It is a riot of colour in spring with bluebells and wood anemones.