A retired gardener was fined today for “devastating” protected trees in a picturesque churchyard made famous by TV soap Emmerdale.

Anthony Tatam, 60, believed he was carrying out a public service by axing trees in the grounds of St Paul’s Church, Esholt, which for 22 years was the backdrop for weddings and funerals in the popular soap.

But Tatam, whose cottage in Church Lane is called Emmerdale, appeared before Bradford magistrates on eight charges under the Town and Country planning act after a neighbour complained.

Solicitor Harjit Ryatt, for the Council, said: “This caused the Council immediate concerns, quite simply because Esholt village is part of a conservation area, which is generally known as ‘Emmerdale country’.

“It is designated an area that is worth preserving, not only for the present but for the long term as well because of its special value for the area.”

Tatam told Council investigators he thought he had permission to cut down the trees after asking the vicar, who he said replied, “do what you like.”

He had been unaware that he needed permission from the Council to carry out any work.

So he chopped nearly 20ft from the top of a 100-year-old sycamore tree and drastically pruned others in the churchyard. He even paid a worker £10 per hour to help fell or prune other trees, so they would not block sunlight to his garden and his neighbours.

In all, Tatam admitted either felling or reducing the height of eight trees.

Mr Ryatt handed the magistrates pictures showing the “extensive” damage done and said Tatam’s actions had dramatically cut their life-span.

Some will now be killed by disease, he said. “Not only is it devastating to the trees but the kind of work that has been done there is not very high quality,” said Mr Ryatt. “They will have to be removed because they will ultimately cause a hazard to people who live there.”

Solicitor Christopher Bird, for Tatam, said: “He pruned or cut down trees and he cleared around the graves which were badly overgrown.

“He did what he thought was a public service.”

However, magistrates fined Tatam £1,035 and told him to pay £2,129 prosecution costs.

David Moroan, chairman of the bench, said his actions were “naïve and misguided”. He added: “The Council has designated this a conservation area and you have to be aware of the regulations and rules that apply.”

Ian Horsfall, senior enforcement officer for Bradford Council, said: “We hope this sentence sends a message to other individuals and developers who may wish to do something similar.”