A PINE tree more than 100 years old was removed from a Blackburn park yesterday after it became unsafe.

Council specialists used a giant crane to remove the tree from Corporation Park, cutting it in to four pieces.

Parks officers said that the tree had become unstable. It was leaning across a pond and its roots had damaged pathways and a fence.

It was feared that if action was not taken the tree could fall.

Bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council said that planting to replace the tree will take place shortly.

The historic tree had been in place for most of the park’s existence, after it opened in 1857.