Handforth residents are mourning the loss of a landmark tree. They contacted the Express after seeing contractors chop down the decades-old horse chestnut tree at The Paddock.

The tree was classed as ‘diseased and dangerous’ by Cheshire East’s tree officers who concluded that pruning would not solve the problem.

But resident Nick King said: “There is a hole in the streetscape now this landmark tree has had to go.

“Its demise will mark the passing of time for many older residents.

“This was a mature specimen and could be expected to have a lifespan of 75 years, so would have been a sapling just before World War Two.

“There’s something very sad about the death of a mature tree because it seems to take history with it.”

Geoff Hyde, who has lived in Handforth for 39 years, said: “I had always admired the tree and was horrified to see it go.”

Coun Barry Burkhill said: “It’s a great shame but the tree was condemned.

“We did our best to save it, but an experienced arboriculturist said it needed to come down so there was really no argument.”

The council declined to comment.