A large tree will be chopped down in Brenchley Gardens as it is no longer safe.

Maidstone council discovered a major defect in the main fork of a large mature Tilia last week.

Works to remove it are taking place today and tomorrow.

Cllr Martin Round, lead member for environmental services, is sad to see the tree removed.

He said: "Sadly the nature of the defect has left us with no choice but to instruct our contractor to remove the tree as a matter of urgency.

"If it were to fall it could land on park users so we cannot risk leaving it.

"It is also in close proximity to an electrical sub-station and McKenzie Court [flats].

"We have considered all alternative courses of action, however, a removal to ground level is the only realistic and safe option.

"We will of course plant a new Tilia in the area close to the original tree.

"As much of the tree will be kept and used in the park as possible, as a stumpery, as log habitat for wildlife and as a felled trunk in as large a section as possible."