Towering trees which were at the centre of a planning row in a Shropshire town have been left looking like “giant twigs” after they were cut back by officials.

Wildlife lovers hit out at Shropshire Council for pruning the  trees, in Cheshire Street, Market Drayton, during the nesting season but the council today defended its actions, saying it had checked for nesting birds first and none were found.

Initial plans to fell the London plane trees were considered earlier this year after the council said it had received complaints about television interference caused by the trees.

But following an angry response from town residents, the council’s north planning committee agreed in February for a programme of pruning to take place instead.

Resident and wildlife enthusiast Lesley Durling, today criticised the pruning of the trees.

She said: “It is illegal under the Countryside and Wildlife Act to cut trees during the nesting season unless you can guarantee that there are no birds nesting there.

“Any good tree surgeon knows that you don’t cut trees at this time of year. You tend to cut before March and then leave them through the growing season.

“There is nothing wrong with trimming or pruning them but it does matter how much and when you do it.

“The council has left us with two giant twigs and have done this at the wrong time of year.”

John Blessington, arboricultural officer at Shropshire Council, said: “London planes are very hardy trees, commonly planted in urban areas due to their ability to thrive in built-up environments.

“They are very large trees and controlling their crown size by pollarding has been a long-standing form of managing this tree in towns.”

He added: “The trees may look stark for the moment but this will be short-lived as it responds to this better than just about any other species with its vigorous re-growth.

“As the trees grow out they develop an open crown structure which rarely attracts nesting birds due to its lack of shelter.

“Contractors check for nesting birds before carrying out work and if found would have delayed the work until the end of August.”