A pensioner was upset to discover two huge willow trees near her home had been cut back to their trunks.

Eunice Turbayne had admired the trees since moving into Saxon Court old people's flats in Wessex Way, Bicester, three years ago.

Miss Turbayne, 89, said: "They look like ugly pieces of modern art sculpture.

She added: "I do realise trees have to be lopped sometimes, but I do not think it had to be done so severely."

Paul Almond, principal landscape officer of Cherwell District Council, said the trees would return to their former glory.

He said: "We did have to pollard the trees for health and safety reasons."

"Even before the tree surgeons arrived a branch fell off one of the trees into the car park."