SEVERAL witnesses have come forward after a tree which was blocking views of Poole Harbour was chain-sawed in the dead of night, the Daily Echo has learned.

With the clear-up operation due to start in days, council officials and police are working to determine who will take the lead in the case of aptly-named Heavytree Road.

Neighbours were shocked after a protected 12m Scots pine, which stood in the garden of a Parkstone house, was felled in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The 52-year-old tree, the subject of a preservation order, was felled by an intruder using a chainsaw, investigators believe.

Motives cited for its removal, included opening up stunning views of the harbour.

Steve Bransgrove, tenant of the Heavytree Road house where the tree used to stand, said: “My house is directly below the base of the tree. None of the homes along this road could benefit from it being felled, as it is behind all our gardens with the harbour in the other direction.

“The house could have been damaged – it still could be, as it is going to be quite a delicate operation to clean it up.”

Residents have now been given the all-clear to contact insurance companies and get tree surgeons onto the site.

Mr Bransgrove said: “Work could start in the next few days, but it is going to take at least three days to clear.

“There is no vehicular access, so its going to be a hell of a job.”

A Borough of Poole spokesman said: “At this point we are in contact with Dorset Police to establish who will be taking the lead in the investigation.

“Several witnesses have already come forward to provide supporting information regarding the allegations.”