NEW cherry trees on The Grove proved a hit with the Ilkley public after arriving from Holland yesterday.

Council workers spent the day planting the 13 new trees which will take the place of 11 old ones which have been removed as part of the pedestrian improvements in the area.

Many residents and visitors were horrified to see the much loved cherry trees pulled out but as well as causing damage to the pavement they were coming to the end of their lives.

Landscape architect John Hogg said: "We discovered the roots of the other ones were absolutely rotten when we took them out."

As the new trees 'Prunus Accolade' were being planted, Mr Hogg said: "They were the biggest trees we could get that's why we had to go to Holland and once you see the avenue of them you start to get an effect."

The work was creating quite a stir on The Grove and many passers by stopped to take a look.

Beryl Hill, of Maufe Way, Ilkley said: "I think they are beautiful and I love the blossom which I was very surprised to see.

"I think they have done a marvellous job. I loved the other ones so much but these are lovely and they have got them up so quickly."

Mr Hogg said that once the trees had been planted they would have a protective fence put around them to prevent damage.

Susan Lister, of Melville Grove, Ilkley, said: "I think they look very pretty. If they were due for replacing I think it is a good idea, but I am surprised they look as nice as they do."

Visitors Maurice and Betty Wilkinson, who come to Ilkley every week from their home in Cleckheaton, were equally impressed with the work.

Mr Wilkinson said: "It will all look very nice when it has been completed - the trees look very nice and I am surprised they are in blossom."

Mrs Lister said: "It is always very nice to see them in the spring."

A Ilkley pensioner, who did not want to be named, was also impressed when he studied the work going on.

He said he was glad that the cherry trees had been replaced because they had been undermining the pavement, making it uneven and difficult to walk on.

He said of the new ones: "They look fine and the workers are doing a good job. The new paving is marvellous."

Ilkley District and Parish Councillor praised the council contractors replacing the paving and the trees.

She said that some of the levelling work had taken a bit longer than expected but the new paving stones and been re-laid on a solid bedding instead of sand.

The effect of cherry tree roots and sand being swept away by cleaning had left the previous pavements uneven and wobbly.

Coun Anne Hawkesworth said: "Now they have been grouted and I think it looks very attractive. When the trees are in place and all the other work has been completed it will look fantastic."

The planting of the new trees saw The Grove closed off to traffic for the day. Today the usual one-way system has been restored until all the work has been completed.