PEOPLE living in a Malvern street fear someone will be seriously injured unless a row of Scottish pine trees is cut down.

Derek Jackson has presented a 20-name petition to Malvern Hills District Council asking for the 50-feet tall trees to be felled. But the council has put a preservation order on the trees.

"The needles get everywhere - all over the house, in the car and lie on the pavement, which makes it extremely slippery," said Mr Jackson, of Michael Crescent.

"Some of the trees look precarious and lean at an angle. I think someone could be seriously injured unless something is done soon. They also block the winter sun because they're so tall."

Mr Jackson's neighbour, Alison Hall, said she and her mother Greta had been complaining for years about the trees.

"If I park my car in the street the needles get in the radiator," said Ms Hall. "We have to sweep the paths daily. I can't walk outside without slipping."

The trees are owned by Dyson Perrins C E High School and are within the border of its playing field, backing on to Michael Crescent.

"The trees were planted 35 years ago and are now 50ft tall," said headteacher Mr Buchanan.

"I was quite happy to do what the residents wanted. But, frankly, I have more important things to do than fight a preservation order. I'm just trying to be a good neighbour. I just hope the residents will have some patience and wait and see what happens."

Mike Gregory, landscape officer for Malvern Hills District Council, said seven trees would be removed to thin them out and the lower branches of 23 trees were due to be taken off to give a clearance of four meters.

"In my opinion the trees are a significant part of the local landscape, but we will consider any correspondence and will work one step at a time," said Mr Gregory.