A LANDOWNER who sparked a protest from neighbours by cutting down a cluster of trees has been refused permission to fell another seven.

But Sam Bancroft will be told two other trees on his land can be cut down -- if they are replaced within six months.

More than 600 people signed a petition asking councillors not to let him remove any more ash or sycamore trees at the back of his home in Doris Avenue, Tonge Fold.

He had already felled about 30 because, he said, they were rotten, dead or dangerous.

The 42-year-old said the land had become a mess and that wanted to put down turf and plant new trees to make it more attractive.

He also wanted to open a stable business where his three-year-old daughter Georgie could keep her pony.

A council inspector decided the seven trees he had asked to cut down were damaged but were showing signs of getting better.

He said the work would not be "good arboricultural practice" and councillors on Bolton's planning and highways committee agreed.

Tonge councillor Elaine Sherrington said: "I have a lot of concerns about this site. If the remaining trees deteriorate we will be asking for mature trees to be planted.

"We have got to keep in touch with the enforcement officers. Enforcement can seem like a toothless tiger at times but we have got to keep in touch with the enforcement officers and do something."

The committee confirmed that preservation orders existed on seven of the trees Mr Bancroft had wanted to cut down.

Mr Bancroft had written to the committee saying some of the trees were unsightly and had been damaged by livestock.