Sycamore Gap: Damage to Hadrian's Wall confirmed

An archaeological survey was carried out to confirm damage to Hadrian's Wall

An archaeological survey has confirmed Hadrian's Wall is damaged where the famous Sycamore Gap tree was cut down.

Historic England (HE) said there were cracks and fragments broken off two facing stones which it believed were caused by the vandalism.

The tree, which stood in a dip at the Northumberland World Heritage Site, was felled with a chainsaw in September, landing on the Roman wall.

Northumbria Police has arrested four people in connection with the felling.

HE said last month that some damage had been identified but added experts would be assessing the extent of it.

Posting on social media on Tuesday, it said: "We've carried out an archaeological appraisal of the damage to Hadrian's Wall and can confirm there are some cracks and fragments broken off from two of the facing stones, which we believe have been caused by the felling of the sycamore tree."

The organisation said it had passed the information to police and was working with the National Trust on a plan to repair the damage.

It was also carrying out analysis to age the felled tree, which has been taken away for safe-keeping while a decision was made on what to do with it, it added.

The 50ft (15m) tree was among the UK's most photographed and was made famous in a scene in Kevin Costner's 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.

It was looked after by the Northumberland National Park Authority and the National Trust.