RUMOURS on social media that the impressive trees on Minehead’s Avenue were to be felled were dispelled when a county council expert confirmed this week that only one would be removed this year.

More than 40 people packed a town council committee meeting on Tuesday to hear Karin Harwood, Somerset County Council’s engineering programmes service manager, say that the Norway maple outside the Hairy Dog pub would have to come down.

She said regular checks were carried out on The Avenue trees and the maple was suffering from honey fungus, dieback in the crown and decay in the base.

Several trees near the Beach Hotel are to be monitored every six months – one was suffering from root severance and another had been damaged, but none needed to be removed.

However, 11 other trees around the town have been scheduled for felling.

Ms Harwood told the town council’s amenities and environment committee: “I hope the issue of The Avenue trees has now been clarified.

“Social media is a wonderful thing but not all of what is said is accurate. I hope I have now squashed the Facebook rumours.”

For the full report and details of trees to be felled, buy today’s Free Press (July 12).