AN investigation has been launched after trees were cut down on land near Raymond Blanc’s Michelin-starred Oxfordshire restaurant.

Two 40ft pine trees have disappeared yards from Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Church Road, Great Milton.

But the trees were protected by preservation orders and South Oxfordshire District Council is looking into the felling at the end of last month.

Last night a spokesman for the television chef’s two-starred manor house restaurant said it was also checking the tree incident.

Tracey Clinton said: “There has been an issue and we are investigating it with our planning consultant.

“It is now in the hands of South Oxfordshire District Council and we will issue a statement when we know more.”

South Oxfordshire District Council spokesman Victoria Buckett-Hipgrave said: “It is still early days and we are investigating. We have written to the restaurant and we are currently awaiting their response.

“At this point there is not much else we can say.”

Le Manoir has held two Michelin stars for 27 years.

In the grounds is a two-acre kitchen garden which produces 90 types of vegetable and more than 70 varieties of herbs which are used in the restaurant.

Neighbour Bob Wise, 74, who lives in Fullers Field, said he grew up in the village and the trees were already tall when he was a child.

He said: “I remember them clearly and it is so sad that they are no longer there for the next generation to enjoy.

“Those trees must be well over 100 years old. Pines are also very slow growers and these were fully mature, so they must have been there for a long time.”

He added: “These trees were under preservation orders and they were beautiful.

“They disappeared at the end of January, but we have no idea why. They were not meant to be cut down.”

Pine trees can live for up to 1,000 years and normally grow between 15m and 45m tall.