Six trees at St Mary’s Church, Kettlewell, are facing the axe.

Two of the trees are diseased and the other four are said to be too close to a boundary wall, causing safety fears.

Now vicar the Rev Peter Yorkstone has been in touch with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, which has advised that the trees should be removed and replaced by suitable species, maintaining the variety in the churchyard.

The work is due to be carried out in the new year.

And Kettlewell Primary School has been advised to thin out its woodland area.

“This will make our woodland area far safer and more user-friendly for our pupils to continue to enjoy as part of their learning,” said a school spokesman.