Council officials have been accused of "butchering" more than 20 trees that line the centre of Henley-in-Arden in a bid to save money.

Lime trees growing either side of High Street had their tops hacked off without notice leaving locals "devastated".

A small team of arboriculturalists in harnesses spent several days sawing off the tops of the 50ft tall trees.

Warwickshire Council Council says the pollarding work was carried out to save money due to their "very limited budget".

Local residents have accused the council of "ruining" the appearance of the historic market town with the extreme pruning.

Around 20 trees have been pollarded (image via SWNS)

Alan Parker, 50, who has lived along the road for five years, said it the first time he has seen them cut back to this extent.

He said: "They've butchered the trees beyond all recognition.

"I just can't understand how they get away with it and just at a time when wildlife and birds are thriving.

"The trees are home to squirrels birds and beautiful butterflies because of all the vegetation.

"The environmental impact is terrible and God knows what visitors think when they see the state of them."

Warwickshire Council Council says the pollarding work was carried out to save money (image via SWNS)

The trees have lined the High Street for over a century and are a focal point for both locals and tourists.

Business owner Amy Graham, 45, who runs a florist in the town, said: "Everyone was gutted when they saw the trees had been hacked down to their stumps.

"We all understand the need for pruning but this was extreme and done, supposedly, to save a few quid because the council didn't want to pay to have it done now and then again in the winter.

"These trees bring people here, they help tourism. Visitors love the trees and take pictures of them and then spend money and time in the town.

"Who would want to come to Henley now to take a selfie next to an ugly stump?"

The road before the pollarding took place (image by Google Maps)

Resident Roger Cooper, 75, said: "The beautiful lime trees are a delight to the eye and absorb the carbon dioxide from traffic to make the High Street a special place for residents and visitors.

"Imagine the shock to find that the council has pollarded the trees in July, when they are at their best.

"The trees look as if they have been vandalised.

"It is not the right time of year to pollard. The right time is autumn or spring and this should have been done then.

"To do it now will stress the trees and open the risk of insect infestation.

"In addition the trees will not now absorb carbon dioxide from the traffic on this busy road."

'The trees look as if they have been vandalised' (image via SWNS)

Warwickshire Council Council said the trees have been pollarded, which involves removing the upper branches of a tree, aiming to promote the growth of a dense head of foliage and branches.

The council's forestry team said: "These trees are pollarded on a cyclical basis, issues presented from the growth of these trees have been brought to our attention with contact from residents and businesses directly, and from residents via the parish, in relation to the growth of these trees coming into contact with buildings and hanging low over the footpath.

"Whilst it was considered that remedial pruning works could mitigate the issues in the short term, it did not make for an efficient use of resources to carry out these remedial works, only to then carry out cyclical pollarding towards the latter end of the year.

"We have a very limited budget in relation to the scope of tree work required across the entire county, therefore this method was deemed a poor use of resources."