Nature-lover Glynis Robinson attacked council chiefs who chopped down hundreds of trees at a country park, writes Richard Abbott.

Mrs Robinson, who has walked in Shotover Country Park, Oxford, since she was a child, said the park's wildness was being sacrificed to attract more visitors.

She said: "It used to be a nice place to go and walk but they have cut down hundreds of trees. They are clearing great big open spaces. It's such a shame.

"Shotover has always been loved for its wildness and its beauty rather than because it is nicely trimmed and chopped. They are turning it into a clean and tidy country park but we have got plenty of those in Oxford already. "Now I have seen them bulldozing silver birches. They want to plant more heather but there is plenty of open space there already. They seem to think they know better than the trees."

Mrs Robinson, who lives in St Mary's Road, east Oxford, said the tree-cutting had been happening for about 15 years, but had escalated dramatically in recent months.

Anthony Roberts, Oxford City Council's senior countryside ranger, said: "I can understand people's affection for the birchwood but we are restoring heathland that was originally there after the Second World War. Shotover is 250 acres the area she is referring to is just one acre.

"The heath is what marks Shotover out from other places in Oxfordshire. It is a feature which will be enjoyed for many years to come. When it flowers, everyone will see how beautiful it is."