A disabled, nature-loving grandmother sat underneath a 61-year-old tree in the freezing cold to stop it from being cut down.

Virginia Hanley, of Kent Avenue in Minster, Sheppey, grabbed her walking stick and wrapped herself in a quilt to prevent the felling of a "beautiful" willow.

The 70-year-old, who has lived nearby in her bungalow since 2007, looked out of her window to see workers preparing to chop the tree down on Tuesday. February 28

She said: "I went outside and asked them what they were doing.

"They explained they were taking it down with permission from Swale Borough Council (SBC) and that it would be gone in four hours.

"I replied saying 'oh, so I've got four hours to try and sort this out?' and he said, 'oh no, I'm starting it now'.

"So I came in, grabbed a chair, grabbed a quilt, grabbed a walking stick, put a wrap around me and a coat and I went out and sat under the tree."

The act of defiance was no easy feat for the mum-of-two. Virginia was left living with a disability following a road accident in 1984.

At the time, she had to deal with nerve damage, however, it's now turned into nerve malfunction – meaning she can't walk long distances.

She continued: "While I was under the tree the workers told me they couldn't wait while I was there because it was costing them money.

"So they left and they promised me they wouldn't be back. But 15 minutes later, they were.

"I told them that I wasn't going anywhere and that I wanted to know why this tree is coming down."

Virginia was told Swale council had requested the tree be cut down as a neighbour's porch and house had subsided.

She explained: "Apparently their insurance company did a test and said it was a willow tree causing it.

"But I've had subsidence as well. They dug up my home but said it wasn't the willow tree.

"So the chances of them having a willow tree problem and me not having one seems odd to me."

However, her neighbour, who's lived in his home for 25 years and did not want to be named or pictured, disagreed with Virginia's views.

He said: "My porch is collapsing and my insurance company, Direct Line, dug up my front garden to confirm it is the tree that is causing the subsidence.

"I don't know what all this rubbish is about with her trying to save the tree.

"It's been like this for two-and-a-half years and she hasn't got a leg to stand on.

"I can't understand why she is worrying about a poxy tree, it's like flogging a dead horse.

"I called the council and they told me on the phone that the tree is on their property and she has no right to sit under their trees."

As off today, the willow tree was still standing.

Virginia added: "There are three beautiful trees by my home which make living here a pleasure.

"They make it look nice and trees are essential, essential for our well being.

"We all know that, everybody knows that, SBC knows that.

"But they're being, in my mind, a bit blasé about it.

"Those trees have been here since 1962, when this bungalow was built.

"I didn't like it when they came to cut it down and I always said if they try and take this tree down, I'm going to be sitting under it.

"I've got to do what I said I would do, because it's the right thing to do."

A Swale council spokesman confirmed that despite Virginia's protest it is necessary for the willow to be taken down.

They said: “Unfortunately, due to subsidence issues with a nearby property, we have had to take the decision to fell this tree.

"This is not a decision we have taken lightly, and only after we have investigated the issue thoroughly, including root analysis reports which highlighted the tree's impact on the property.

“In these situations, we do aim to replace any felled trees where practical, and we will review this location for suitability once the felling work has been completed.

“We know people value trees, and they are an important part of our work to tackle the climate and ecological emergency, which is why we have planted more than 14,000 trees across the borough this planting season alone.”