Sycamore Gap: Two further arrests over tree felling

Police say the tree was felled in a deliberate act of vandalism

Two further arrests have been made by officers investigating the felling of the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree.

The landmark, which was planted in the late 1800s and sat beside Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was chopped down overnight on 27 September.

The tree was cut up and removed by the National Trust last month.

Two men aged in their 30s have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and bailed. A boy, 16, and a man aged in his 60s were previously held.

Part of Hadrian's Wall was also damaged when the tree came down, some time between the evening of 27 September and morning of 28 September.

The Sycamore Gap tree had been there for more than 100 years

On 12 October the tree, which was once 50ft (15m), was taken to an unnamed National Trust property to be stored.

National Trust manager Andrew Poad, who had worked around the tree for about 35 years, described it as being "like a funeral".

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The felling sparked an outpouring of emotion from millions of people, with many lamenting the loss of an emblem of north-east England.

The spot was made famous in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and became a popular place for walkers and photographers due to its unusual setting.

Kevin Reynolds, who directed the Hollywood film, described the events as "ugly", "despicable" and "senseless".

Meanwhile, the National Trust, which looks after the site with the Northumberland National Park Authority, said it felt like the team "had lost a family member".

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Det Ch Insp Rebecca Fenney-Menzies said Northumbria Police was "committed to getting justice".

She urged anyone with information "no matter how small or insignificant you think it may be" to come forward.

Detectives described the case as "very difficult and complex" and urged people not speculate about the investigation.