A ONE thousand year-old oak tree fell onto a Monmouthshire street named after it in poor weather yesterday.

The 25-metre tall tree collapsed onto Oak Crescent in Wyesham, Monmouth, at around 7.30am - causing damage to a resident’s car parked nearby.

The ancient tree pre-dated Monmouth’s gated Monnow Bridge, which was built in the 13th century, Henry V, who was born at Monmouth Castle in 1387, and was growing when Geoffrey of Monmouth was born in 1090.

Bob Ranscombe, 76, and his wife Joyce, 74, were among the dozens of residents who rushed out into the street from Oak Crescent’s 28 homes after the tree fell.

He said: “We were drinking tea when we heard a terrific bang.

“We thought it must be the garden waste lorry coming round, but my wife looked out and said the tree had collapsed.”

Residents called Monmouthshire council and five highways department workers made the area safe.

The street was closed to everyone but Oak Crescent residents, while Gwent Police officers issued door-to-door safety advice.

The council will continue the clear-up operation today.

Mr Ranscombe added: “If it had happened an hour later it could have been far worse because there would have been people outside, especially with it being the school holidays.”

He has oak trees growing in his garden from acorns he collected from the ancient tree, which stood as a centre piece to the circular street on a roundabout.