Two trees which are said to be a 'huge part' of a town's landscape will be felled later this month. 

The decision to remove the two chestnut trees in Dorchester comes after a report revealed that the trees, which are located next to Coffee #1 at the lower end of South Street in the town centre, were significantly decayed. 

As such, their state presents a danger to public safety which has left Dorchester Town Council with 'no choice' but to remove them. 

A statement from the council said: "We’re sad to announce a report has revealed significant decay and poor structural condition of two trees on Lower South Street. 

"This presents a significant danger to public safety meaning we have no choice but to remove them.

"As these trees were a huge part of the town’s landscape, the biggest priority for us is replacing them – which we’ll do with four beautiful new trees.

"We’re sad to lose our trees, but we look forward to watching the new ones grow to be just as spectacular."

The trees will be taken down across two dates later this month, on Sunday, February 19 and a week later on Sunday, February 26.

On both of these days, the bottom of South Street will be closed to all road traffic with no access to Trinity Street. 

On the second day of work, South Walks Road will be closed to allow for a crane to be positioned. The closure will extend to the northern section of Prince of Wales Road but will not affect pedestrian access. 

Commenting on the decision to fell the trees, Cllr Fiona Kent-Ledger said: "This is a very hard decision to take but public safety has to come first. 

"We need to start to action replacement planting so the character of the town is maintained."

The latest removal of trees in the area comes weeks after two ash trees were cut down due to being diseased in Borough Gardens.

The council has also revealed that the Walks network in Dorchester is going to lose a 'significant number of its conker trees' in future years due to bleeding canker infection.