A BARNOLDSWICK woman has been left devastated after builders chopped down her garden trees which were more than 30 years old.

Pauline Carlos, of Roundell Road, said she was astounded when she looked outside and saw two builders, working on a site directly behind her garden, sawing over her fence at a row of fir trees.

Mrs Carlos said: "I am livid. I just can't believe it," she added.

Development on the former Lancashire County Council depot at Coates Wharf, on Skipton Road, has been a controversial issue between residents and planners for nearly 10 years.

Last month an outline application to build seven houses on the site was approved.

Jeff Hook, agent for developers J&A Transport, said he knew nothing about the trees. However he added: "Someone had said the fence was not in line with the rest of the fences and it was felt that someone had taken a portion of land they were not entitled to. Whether that is part and parcel of what has happened I don't know. We are not privy to any goings-on and altering fences."

The Herald was unable to contact J&A Transport.