A 60-YEAR-OLD holly tree in Runcorn Road could be pulled down by Barnton Parish Council after increasing complaints from residents.

The 45-foot tree is sited at the bottom of a number of gardens and residents don't want it there.

Now the parish council is to investigate how much it would cost to pull the tree down and replace it with another tree as it is on its land.

Parish councillors decided they would not do one without the other.

A discussion took place with suggestions ranging from trimming the tree to cutting it down.

Barnton Parish Council chairman, Clr Maurice Ferguson said: "If we take that route, we have to replace it with a fairly mature similar tree, which we can pick up and plant it further down."

Parish councillor Jack Jordan said: "The holly tree was there 60 years ago, long before the houses were built."

Clr Ferguson added: "We have to be extremely careful. I don't want to cut trees down unless we have to."

The parish council was told Melanie Secome from the borough council had said it would be more economical to move it.

As the holly tree would be too big to move the suggestion to cut it down was made.

Parish councillors have decided to investigate the costs involved before making any decision.

vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk