Contractors have wrong-footed protesters by felling almost 100 trees two days before work was expected to start and a demonstration planned.

Heavy machinery moved in early on Saturday morning to clear the trees lining Love Lane in Faversham to make way for road works and accesses to new housing developments.

Notices on lampposts and flyers through letterboxes had asked residents to ensure their cars were out of the way on Monday, which is when campaigners from the Fields, Farms and Fresh Air group had anticipated work would start.

They had planned to stage a peaceful protest to coincide with the work, and ensure no wildlife was affected.

But the alarm was raised by a resident living opposite early on Saturday morning that work was already underway.

Protesters rushed to the scene to witness a "heartbreaking" sight but were helpless to prevent it.

"It seems we were wrong-footed but, unfortunately, there was nothing legally we could do to stop it," said campaigner Carol Smith.

"Our concern is for the wildlife, including slow worms, that could have habitats in the tree roots and are protected by law.

"We have checked with Kent County Council and they say they are private trees on private land. Outline permission for the site access works, crossings and junctions was first granted some years back."

Both Crest Nicholson and Fernham Homes have planning applications for housing on the neighbouring farmland.

Most recently, Fernham Homes submitted a bid for hybrid planning permission for 154 homes as well as a day nursery and care home and commercial units.

The felling sparked an outcry on the Fields, Farms and Fresh Air Facebook page.

"A sad day for the birds and bats whose food source has been cut off......"

"So very disturbing and I am so sorry for the creatures who live there," wrote Jane Jackson.

"God knows how many millions of insect life is laying there at some stage of its life cycle. The bark will be housing so many lives.

"Even if they lay them down as a habitat the trees are no longer there in their splendid own right or as a nesting site or dormitory/roost for many birds and other life."

"A sad day for the birds who were expecting to nest in them shortly, a sad day for all the bats who used these as feeding grounds, for the insects that lived in them," added Sue Walker.

"There will be fewer birds this year now, fewer bats, their food source has been cut off."

Now the campaigners fear 200 more trees along the road could be in the line of fire for felling.

"We've been asking what's going to happen to them but just can't get any information from the contractors or Swale Borough Council," said Mrs Smith.

"Our only hope is that trees will be planted to replace the ones lost."

Town councillor Trevor Martin said: "This is all part of the initial agreement with Crest Nicholson development for enabling works for the site, including access, crossings, lay-bys and bus stops.

"They aren't doing anything wrong and it's often the case that outline planning permission is granted years ago, as is the case here.

"It's unfortunate but it's just one of those things. But some of the trees they have taken out I would only give another two or three years anyway.

"I'm guessing they've done the work now before the nesting season starts."