A LARGE tree in Pershore’s Abbey Park is being removed on safety grounds.

Wychavon District Council has "reluctantly" taken the decision to remove the large weeping willow, near to the entrance of the park, after it failed to come into leaf this year.

A specialist tree surgeon was called in to carry out an inspection and found that the tree had reached the end of its natural life and there is now a safety risk from falling branches.

Lynn Stevens, parks officer at Wychavon District Council, said: “We are so sad to lose this old friend of a tree and we know many local people will miss it too.

“We will make plans to ensure that trees are planted this coming winter in the vacant space to ensure that future generations will have them to enjoy.”

Work to remove the tree will take place this week (Monday, June 29) before it is replaced with one or more new trees.

The exact type has yet to be decided but it is unlikely they will be willows because the ground is now too dry for them to flourish.