TREE-FELLERS in Monmouthshire who are cold-calling residents offering to cut down and purchase their trees are breaking the law, the council says.

Mounmouthshire County Council say they have received reports of a man offering to fell and buy trees such as oak from gardens in Llanhennock.

The village is a protected environmental area and the removal of trees without council consent amounts to a criminal offence, Council Tree Officer, Jim Keech, said: "We are very concerned, not only for the unnecessary loss of beautiful trees but also for the fact that many of these trees are protected by law.

"If anyone does accept cash for a protected tree they are liable for prosecution," he said.

The Council wants people approached by anyone offering to buy their trees to contact tree officers on 01633 644853