A TREE being used as a roadside memorial for two sisters killed in a car accident could be cut down.

Lucy and Catherine Breakwell, who were aged just 21 and 15 , died in September 2004 when their car hit the tree in Easton Lane, Portland, after swerving to avoid a sign placed in the road.

Since their deaths the tree has been used as a memorial for people wishing to lay wreaths, flowers and messages.

Now Weymouth and Portland Borough Council is considering options on what to do with it.

Lucy and Catherine's mother, Karen Breakwell, said: "I don't object to them clearing away the flowers or tributes, but I do want the posters to stay.

"They are part of the Road Peace campaign and they have a message saying Remember me', and the names and dates of birth and death for the girls.

"There is also a wooden cross attached to the tree which my brother had specially made and I would like that to stay too."

Council technical services manager Martyn Gallivan said: "We have to be sensitive to the feelings of the family but the memorial can't stay forever.

"Council workers have been sent out to clear the area of the flowers and wreaths which people have left there.

"As well as causing a distraction for drivers in an area with a lot of highway activity there is always the risk of something flying off in the wind and hitting someone's windscreen.

"We are going to examine the tree and see if it is dead. If it is then we will replace it with a sapling and we are certainly open to having a memorial plaque for the sisters placed there.

"However, if the tree is still alive then it will stay and we will continue to keep the area clear of items that people leave.

"There is no legal right it for it to be used as a memorial site."

Coun Margaret Leicester said: "Of course no one wants to forget the loss of children. A lot of the information I receive on the matter is third-hand but there seems to be ill feeling among some residents for keeping the roadside memorial.

"Some of them feel that no one is going to move on as long as it stays."

n POLICE are appealing for witnesses after Luke Breakwell, 23, was assaulted on Portland.

Mr Breakwell, the brother of Lucy and Catherine, was with mother Karen and other family members when he was dragged from a phone box and punched to the ground.

Karen Breakwell has condemned the attack, which happened only hours after the family had seen Lee Pennington jailed for causing her daughters' deaths.

She claims the family were taunted by the youths about the deaths of her daughters moments before the assault.

Police were called to the Straits after a gang of around six youths attacked Mr Breakwell while he was calling his girlfriend in Australia.

He was punched and kicked by the group, who were all wearing hooded tops, sustaining damage to his nose, mouth and eye.

A police spokesman said: "We would like anyone who saw the attack to come forward. This man was attacked and we are investigating it."

Karen Breakwell said it was a completely unprovoked attack.

"It shows no respect for my family," she said. "They said the girls deserved to die and shouted abuse at us. Luke says the last thing he remembers is seeing the door pulled open and feeling a foot in his face."

Anyone with information should call Weymouth Police on 01305 222222.