A band of parish councillors has vowed to chain themselves to three old oak trees in a bid to stop them being felled.

Colchester-based insurance company OCA UK has called for the trees in Weeley to be chopped down to save the crumbling Scout hut on the village playing field.

Officials have argued the trees are drawing water away from the hut footings causing subsidence, with massive cracks appearing inside.

Parish councillors are disgusted at the proposals and have written to Tendring District Council to voice their objections.

A spokesman for OCA UK told the Evening Gazette that the company did not comment on such matters.