TRADERS have hit out at a council for felling a row of trees overlooking their workplace.

West Dorset District Council claims the trees along an embankment on the Marabout Industrial Estate in Dorchester were trimmed as part of its grounds maintenance scheme.

But traders say the council has been heavy-handed in felling several trees up to 30 feet tall.

Steve Breach, who works at Parkhouse Pet Supplies on the estate, said: "The trees had been there for years and there was no need to chop them down.

"Quite a few of our customers have complained about them being felled. Some of the trees were up to 30 feet high and weren't causing any harm at all so I don't see why they were taken down to the ground."

Chris Howard, manager of Enterprise cars, said: "They were next to our office and weren't causing any harm or blocking the light. The embankment looks terrible now."

Steve Breach, manager of plumbers Jayhard Ltd, said: "It looks totally bleak up there now and we just see a barbed wire fence. The trees certainly weren't trimmed - they were chopped to the floor and I can't understand why."

A spokesman for the district council said a tree specialist recommended that the trees be trimmed back and the work had been planned for some time.

He said: "This included trimming and upkeep of mature trees plus removal of deadwood and some self-seeded trees, brambles and other bushes.

"The council regularly carries out this type of work to ensure that the land it owns or manages is kept well maintained and in good order. The council commissions an experienced grounds maintenance contractor to carry out work on a regular basis across the district. In this case a tree specialist working for the contractor advised the council and carried out the work."