Threatened Brighton elm tree saved from axe

Two protesters spent 48 hours up the tree last month in a bid to save it

A 120-year-old elm tree in Brighton that was due to be felled has been saved following protests.

The tree was set to be cut down as part of the Seven Dials junction improvement scheme. The council said its roots were damaging the pavement and blocking the view of the pedestrian crossing.

Two protesters spent 48 hours up the tree last month in a bid to save it.

Councillors agreed a solution involving narrowing the road and widening the pavement at a meeting earlier.

East Sussex has one of the country's largest populations of mature elms after controls were set up in 1973 to limit the spread of Dutch elm disease.

Since 1998, Brighton and Hove has held the National Collection of Elms.

Campaigners had insisted the tree, on Vernon Terrace, should be kept because it survived the disease.

Plans to fell the tree were put on hold following the protest. A petition to save it was signed by 4,318 people.