PLANNERS have pledged to maintain Worcester as a green city by replacing roadside trees that are old or potentially dangerous.

Concerns were raised because 20 such trees, which are the responsibility of the county council's highways department, were felled in Worcester last year after a survey revealed many were in poor condition. Assoc-iated injuries - from falling branches or people tripping over exposed roots - or damage to nearby property, regularly cost the county council more than £10,000 per claim. There are currently 107 outstanding claims in Worcestershire.

Thursday's city planning committee vowed to set up a replanting policy in Worcester, even though it assumes full responsibility for any trees it replaces.

They also dismissed the "negativity" of their county colleagues - for whom fewer trees means fewer claims - and hit out at today's "compensation culture".

Mayor Aubrey Tarbuck told the meeting: "I understand trees can cause issues for the utilities, potential problems with liability and maintenance and have budget implications, but I believe the visual amenity they offer is very important." Councillor Francis Lankester added: "I can't quite see that trees are one of the biggest dangers we have in the streets.

"I believe people appreciate the trees and we usually hear great protest if they are removed. I'm not impressed by the county council's views and I think we should take a very strong stand." The meeting agreed to bid for a budget to replace trees, to involve ward members closely in all tree-related discussions between county and city council officers and to investigate the possibility of wider funding to support the replanting programme.