CONTROVERSY has erupted in Hyde after two 120-year-old yew trees were felled in the grounds of the village primary school just two days before an order protecting them was due to be issued.

The village is split after residents and governors exchanged heated words on Saturday as contractors were brought in without warning to remove the trees.

The trees had been the subject of discussion between the school, Hampshire county council and New Forest district council, because the school wants to create a new play area.

But objections were raised over the removal of the yews, and Bryan Wilson, NFDC's tree team leader, had planned to place a temporary protection order on them while the matter was addressed.

"As far as I am aware everyone knew I was planning to make the order, so I am very disappointed that the trees have gone," said Mr Wilson.

He had already drawn up the order, which he would have served on Monday morning if the trees had not suddenly been felled.

And even though residents produced a copy of the letter Mr Wilson had sent to all concerned saying that he would be doing so, the governors and contractors refused to stop chopping down the trees.

Councillor Bill Dow, who was a governor at the school himself for 18 years, was one of those trying to plead with those in the school not to chop down the trees.

He said: "It is such a pity this happened when things were still being discussed - we feel badly let down.

"One of them said: 'We as governors own the school and we're going to do as we like'. This sort of thing wouldn't have happened when I was a governor."

Several other residents present have described the governors' behaviour as "obnoxious", and some were reduced to tears.

"The trees had tremendous historic importance," said Mike Parslow. "The way the school has removed them is disgraceful.".

There is also some dispute over the governors' right to decide to chop down the trees in the first place.

Hyde Primary School, although a Church of England school, is run by a board of governors through Hampshire Education Authority.

But the land and buildings of the school are owned by a church-based trust, under the Rev Malcolm Riches, who also sits on the board of governors.

The governors are then funded through the education system to look after the buildings.

Although the governors were in favour of the trees being felled, many of the board, including the vicar, were not aware of the plans to bring them down on Saturday.

The issue had also been raised at a parish council meeting, where the majority of residents said they were happy to see the trees felled.

However, because there was some opposition, NFDC became involved in the process.

Mr Wilson explained that the temporary protection order he had drawn up would have been subject to a consultation period, lasting a maximum of six months.

Pam Shering, whose family has a long connection with the school, said she felt "very hurt" at the way the governors had acted.

She said: "Many of the governors haven't been here very long and don't know the village - they've upset a lot of the older residents.

"You cannot put a tree that old back once it's down - we will never see trees like them again there in our lifetimes."

Anne Edwards, chair of governors, said in a statement: "The governors of Hyde Primary School voted unanimously in February to remove two yew trees situated in the school grounds.

"This was to provide space for a much-needed outdoor learning environment for the children.

"Following discussions with New Forest district council it was agreed that the trees would not be removed until the villagers had been consulted.

"The school put its case to the annual parish meeting on May 27 and was delighted to receive overwhelming support from the residents of the parish.

"The trees were felled on Saturday and we hope to have the area in use by the children shortly."