A large 300-year-old oak tree which was considered ‘unsafe’ is amid being cut down following consultation with Wokingham Borough Council.

Drivers found that they were unable to access a section of Reading Road yesterday (27/12) due to works in St Paul’s Church Yard.

A large crane was spotted at the site, alongside engineers and tree surgeons who were dismantling the ancient structure branch by branch.

The council confirmed that the tree would take two days to cut down safely. To ensure no-one is hurt in the process this will mean the two day closure of the road.

The News contacted Wokingham Borough Council for a comment.

They said: "Part of Reading Road in Wokingham will be closed on December 27 and 28 to allow a diseased tree to be cut down safely.

"The large oak tree in the grounds of St Paul's Church is sadly to be cut down following an inspection after a large branch fell at the end of August.

"The inspection found the tree to be unsafe and it will now be cut down leaving a small stump that can act as a habitat for insects and wildlife.

"The road will be closed to traffic during the works, with pedestrian access maintained on the Holt Lane side of the road."