One cyclist had the fright of his life when a tree a came crashing down in front of him during his morning cycle in Latchford.

Colin Frogatt was cycling along the Black Bear Canal Path today, Wednesday, when he heard a loud sound which stopped him in his tracks at around 10am.

He said: “At first I heard what I thought was gun shots so I looked up to see who was shooting.

"But then I saw this tree tumbling towards me. I put on my brakes and it fell six feet in front of me.”

It is understood the tree, which had completely blocked the path, is currently being removed after it was reported to the council.

Mr Frogatt added: “When I looked at the bit of the tree that was still left standing it looked rotten.”