Littlehampton Town Council has replaced them with elm trees which are more disease-resistant than the magnificent old specimens which once stoo in the town but were lost to Dutch elm disease.

Town councillor Mark Butler, chairman of the community resources committee, hopes the new trees will flourish. He said: "Historically, Littlehampton was home to some fine elm trees and it will be good to reintroduce them to the town, especially as many of the poplars are long-since past their best.

"As well as adding to the natural beauty of the environment, to be enjoyed by many generations to come, trees also benefit the air quality."

The replacement of the trees at Rosemead is the first step in a town council planting and replacement initiative over the next two years. The council's tree warden, Alan Pyant, is set to begin identifying new planting areas for roadside trees in Littlehampton. Residents will be consulted before trees are planted.

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