Cherry blossom trees in Hextable that are being cut down by the council cannot be replaced because utility companies are digging too close to their roots.

Residents have said they will be sad to see the trees in St David's Road go after notices appeared on their trunks to warn people they would be felled.

Jane England, who spotted the notice on the trees, said it was "such a shame" to cut the trees down and not replace them.

Other residents reminisced about memories of walking down the street while the trees were in bloom.

A spokesman from Kent County Council confirmed the trees due to be chopped will not be replaced because of "underground services."

He said: “The trees within St David’s Road, Hextable need to be removed because they have been identified as being either dead, dying, diseased or dangerous.

“We only remove trees as a last resort due to safety concerns.

“The reason that further trees are unable to be replanted in the same location is due to the extent of the underground services which include gas, electric, water and cable.

“We do not plant trees too close to these to remove the possibility of problems in the future if services fail or we need to remove our trees.

“We actively work with utility companies and where large projects are proposed we are involved at the planning stage to ensure our trees are protected.”