300-year-old tree falls outside historic Wroxeter church

The horse chestnut tree fell at St Andrew's churchyard in Wroxeter, Shropshire

A large horse chestnut tree estimated to be at least 300 years old has fallen at a churchyard.

The tree came down outside the grade-I listed St Andrew's church in Wroxeter, Shropshire.

The Churches Conservation Trust said it was "great shame" to see an "ancient witness to the church" had been lost.

"But it's fortunate that the tree fell short and away from the historic building of St Andrew's," a spokesperson added.

The trust said the felled tree was estimated to have been at least three centuries old, given the width of its trunk and how high it was in relation to the church's bell tower.

The tree was estimated to be at least 300 years old, the Churches Conservation Trust said

The Saxon church is built on the site of the former Roman town of Viroconium, with some of the building dating back to before 1086.

No longer used for worship, in recent years it has been used by tourists for overnight stays and camping, known as "Champing".

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