REASSURANCES have been given that trees will grow back at a meadow "better than before" after they were chopped down.

Josh Powell shared his concerns on the Warndon Villages Community Group claiming city council workers had "butchered" trees at Racefield Meadow "to death'.

He said: "I would not expect the council to cut down all the trees - what happened to all the green parts being kept in the summer, animals need homes and shelter in the winter surely."

He added when he spoke to the workers they explained to him it was due to residents' complaints it had become overgrown, and had left them feeling unsafe walking on the nearby path at night.

Other residents agreed the cutting had gone too far, Julie Brereton adding: "I am also cross - nowhere for the birds and wildlife to hibernate. Complete shambles."

But on the post, Warndon Parish Council's vice chairman Andrew Cross, shared a message from the parish council team that said: "I thought I would let you know this has been coppiced and reduced to two feet due to several complaints of people feeling unsafe walking at night.

"As you know it is now at a manageable height and will regenerate into a thriving shrub bed again."

Andy Roberts, Worcestershire county councillor for Warndon Parish, said: "They have done a good job with the coppicing - I want to reassure people it will grow back better."

Residents in Dunmow Avenue also agreed it was the right decision. One told us: "They have lowered the level past the fence panels, but they did the same last year."

Worcester City Council said: "Worcester City Council received a number of requests in the summer for the hedgerow to be cut back because it had become overgrown and presented a potential safety hazard to be public. 

"It is routine to coppice cornice and hazel hedgerows such as these every three years. They grow back quickly, so the area will be in good condition when birds return to nest in the new year."