Two men charged over felling of Sycamore Gap tree

Two men have been charged with damaging the Sycamore Gap tree

Two people have been charged in connection with the felling of the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree.

Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, both from Cumbria, have been charged with criminal damage both to the tree and to the adjacent Hadrian's Wall.

The men were arrested last October and had been on bail since then, Northumbria Police said.

The pair are due to appear before Newcastle magistrates on 15 May.

The much photographed tree, which has stood next to the Roman wall since the late 1800s, was cut down in September causing an international outpouring of shock and dismay.

The tree had been popular with visitors and tourists, with millions of people travelling to the Northumberland site.

Det Ch Insp Rebecca Fenney said the force recognised "the strength of feeling in the local community and further afield".

But she reminded people "to avoid speculation, including online, which could impact the ongoing case".