A GREENOCK man says it is a ‘miracle’ that nobody was killed after a huge tree fell down right outside his home.

Ken Paterson, who lives in Finnart Street, had been out walking his dogs only minutes before the incident.

The 64-year-old, who is a compliance and risk director with a financial advice firm, says he and his neighbour had previously raised concerns about the ‘dangerous’ trees located across from their homes.

Bosses at Inverclyde Council say there is nothing to suggest that the remaining trees are unsafe and that extensive maintenance is planned for them.

But Mr Paterson believes the council should now remove all the trees as a matter of urgency to protect the public.

He said: “There could have been a very bad accident, even a death.

“Incredibly, the tree fell exactly where a neighbour had moved his car from a short while before.

“It came down directly between my wife’s car and my mother-in-law’s and with no damage to the cars — it was a very lucky escape.”

Mr Paterson said he phoned the emergency services immediately after the tree toppled.

He added: “It fell from a height of about 20 feet onto the road.

“I phoned 999 as soon as it happened as I was worried that cars coming over the top of the hill wouldn’t see it and there could have been an accident.”

Mr Paterson says he and his neighbour have both raised concerns about the state of the trees on the hillside across the road from their properties.

He added: “A neighbour has previously written to the council about these trees, which border Finnart Street near to the Mariners’ Home.

“I also contacted the council some nine months ago and simply got passed from pillar to post without anyone taking any interest whatsoever.”

Mr Paterson says the local authority carried out work a few months ago, with just the tops of some of the trees removed.

He said: “The fact that the council had a tree surgeon cut back some branches here only two months ago is a real worry for us.

“I actually spoke to one of the workers at the time, who told me that many of the trees are dangerous due to the very shallow root formation because many are growing out of the cliff face.

“Frankly all of these trees should be removed.

“Clearly the council has done little to protect the public.”

But a council spokesman defended their handling of the situation and today moved to reassure people.

He said: “We did some exploratory work on the trees at the end of last year ahead of more extensive maintenance planned over the coming months.

“There is nothing to suggest any of the remaining trees are unsafe but we will keep a close eye on the situation and take any appropriate action.”