Concern for trees amid King Athelstan statue plan

Ruth Strange wants a row of Silver Birch trees in Malmesbury to be protected amongst plans for a new statue

A woman says she will "keep fighting" to protect three trees she fears could be damaged by plans for a potential new statue.

The statue will pay tribute to Athelstan, the grandson of Alfred the Great, who reigned between 925 and 939 AD and is buried in Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

However, some residents are concerned three Silver Birch trees on Birdcage Walk, a potential location for the statue, could be damaged. Ruth Strange said: "I want to save these Silver Birch for as long as possible. I'm not saying don't have a statue, I'm just saying find a better place to put it."

The Aethelstan Statue Group said all appropriate processes will be followed as plans progress.

Birdcage Walk could be the setting for the King Athelstan statue

Ms Strange has now set up a petition on change.org, which has attracted more than 400 signatures.

Previously, a 2021 planning application for an 11ft-tall bronze statue to celebrate Athelstan, the first King of England, was withdrawn after a mixed reaction.

In the years since, the proposals have been revived. A fresh planning application has not been submitted yet, but Wiltshire Council has approved the excavations of archaeological test pits.

King Aethelstan's bones were buried at Malmesbury Abbey in Wiltshire

Ms Strange feels this work could disturb the roots of the 20-foot high trees which she said are 54-years-old.

She added: "The trees are gorgeous to look at. The birds love them, the squirrels love them. I love to sit here, it's a peaceful and calm space in a conservation area.

"The trees have been here so long, I just can't bear to live without them.

"I'm not going to give up, I'm going to keep fighting."

The Aethelstan Statue Group, made up of a variety of bodies invested in celebrating the history of the former King, told BBC Radio Wiltshire a public consultation is planned to address residents' concerns.