A Castle Point councillor alleged to have punched a man in the face in a row over a 160-year-old oak tree is to be quizzed by police, it was revealed today.

The tree, in the garden of Peter Harris, 46, of Shepherds Walk, Hadleigh, was the subject of a tree preservation order last May.

However Castle Point Council planning committee voted in December to remove the temporary order.

This meant work on the tree, such as lopping off branches, could be undertaken freely.

Mr Harris booked specialist tree surgeons but as they began their job, he said they got a surprise visit from Labour councillor Roy English, who lives in nearby Shepherds Close.

He claimed: "The councillor came round and had a go at the workers. I wasn't there at the time but when I finished work, I went over to his house to reason with him about it.

"He swore at me for building a garage next to the tree but I never built that garage. We've lived here 15 years and the garage was built 25 years before that.

"He pushed me out of the door and hit me in the face. I

just walked away." Mr Harris, who said he was left with a bruised face, reported the matter to the police.

Councillor English told the Echo: "I have been advised to make no comment." He added that the advice had come from friends.

Police today confirmed they had received reports of an alleged assault in Shepherds Close at around 1pm on Saturday.

Chief Insp Dave King from Rayeligh, said: "We were called to an incident which involved a tree preservation order which had subsequently been removed. One man appeared to have taken offence to some tree trimming being carried out.

"The owner of the tree spoke to him but he allegedly became angry and threatened him. The aggrieved claims he was punched in the face, allegedly causing bruising to his right cheek.

"Police made no arrests at the scene but are due to interview a man about the incident."

Accused - Roy English

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