A BID has been made to cut down a protected tree in Bournemouth due to fears it could fall on children.

The Monterey pine in the garden of 13 Chigwell Road is subject to a Tree Protection Order, but the owner of the property is seeking to remove it, saying it could harm her own children or those in the neighbouring Queen's Park Academy playground.

A report to the borough planning board says: "Ms Brady states that local tree surgeons deemed the tree to be dangerous and at risk of collapse and that assessments of the tree were

completed.

"Ms Brady also states that the tree is at risk of failure due to the angle of main stem and the resultant strain that this angle of growth presents."

However, in the report officers say the tree is of "normal vigour" and "excellent visual amenity" are calling for the order to be maintained.

It will be discussed by councillors at a meeting on Monday.