A ROW has sprung up over a cluster of threatened trees in Tonge Fold.

Residents claim that up to 30 trees have been felled in Nelson's Pen, a well-known hollow off Bury Road, since the beginning of December.

They have started up a petition to protect the remaining trees, but the council says the owner of the land has not done anything wrong.

Tonge Fold Residents Association has gathered more than 500 signatures on the petition, which it plans to hand to the council.

Linda Gibson, of Hilton Street, said: "We are all so upset that these beautiful trees are disappearing. We are worried about the impact on the environment and on the kingfishers and animals who live there.

"We want to stress that we are not making any accusations and the owner is perfectly entitled to cut down these trees, but we just want to find out what is going on and bring everyone together to discuss it. Maybe we could even get some children involved in a wildlife project."

Margaret Boardman, of Doris Avenue, said: "Before we could look out of the window and just see trees, but now it's a wide open space.

"It is such a shame because we have lived in the area for 30 years and it has always been a well-loved landmark."

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "The landowner has removed trees but they are all outside the tree protection area. A tree officer has been down there and and he is happy that the trees that were removed were not protected. The owner was within his rights to remove the trees."