A ROYAL row has broken out after council bosses chopped down an historic tree planted to celebrate the Queen's coronation in 1953.

Port Glasgow resident Aileen Hughes has hit out after the cherry blossom at the town's library, which she had a family connection to, was cut down to make way for a bin store.

She has hit out at its removal, saying the council did not consult widely enough.

Aileen, 74, who lives in nearby Rowan Court, said: "The council has chopped down a part of Port Glasgow's history, for a bin store.

"My late cousin Isobel Jack was one of the guides who helped to plant the tree.

"She was part of the Newark Parish Girl Guides which is now long gone."

Aileen contacted town councillor Jim MacLeod, who was told that the tree was nearing the end of its life and that the council had consulted with the girl guides.

But Aileen said: "I walked past this tree every day and there was nothing wrong with it.

"They could even have chopped down another tree, why the guides' one?

"I was told the council had consulted the guides but whoever they asked would be three generations down the line.

"The council say they are going to plant another to replace it but a replacement is not the one the girl guides planted for the coronation."

The tree was marked with a plaque, which has been retrieved for safe keeping.

Businesman Marco Mazzoni, who owns Louis' chip shop across the road, is also unhappy over the tree being chopped down.

Marco said: "It's a disgrace.

"There was nothing wrong with that tree.

"All they had to do was to lop off some of the branches.

"Who in their right mind would put a bin store in a garden and next to a library?

"It's a piece of nonsense.

"There was no proper consultation.

"It's just incredible and I am totally against a bin store being put there."

Councillor MacLeod says he understands why people are upset and shares their feelings.

Mr MacLeod said: "It is a shame when any tree has to come down, especially at this time when we are being encouraged to grow trees to tackle climate change.

"I think it could have been better handled."

Wilma Carroll, divisional commander for the Girl Guides, said: "I was advised by the council that the tree was coming to the end of its life.

"I was told it was a cherry blossom and it hadn't blossomed for some time and had exposed roots and was coming to the end of its life.

"I asked if anything could be done and they said no, it was dangerous and had to come down.

"I took their advice before something happened to a property or a person after I had been told that it had to come down.

"I am meeting with the council this week to choose a suitable place to plant a replacement tree, this will be done in September."

A council spokesman said: "We linked with the guides to make sure that they were comfortable with the proposal, which helps to support the redevelopment work at the library and offices there and will ensure that it is replaced to ensure that the commemoration continues."