‘A disgrace’: more than 100 trees cut down in Plymouth despite local opposition

The scene on Wednesday morning after the trees were felled. Photograph: Courtesy of Straw - Save the Trees Armada Way

More than 100 mature trees have been cut down in the centre of Plymouth in a move campaigners said was reminiscent of the needless felling of thousands of trees in Sheffield.

Despite widespread opposition from local people, the Conservative council in the Devon city cordoned off the trees with metal fencing, sent in security guards and in the cover of darkness on Tuesday night, destroyed more than 100 with chainsaws over a few hours.