ST JAMES' Square welcomed a camera crew from ITV Wales on Monday morning as a television news team descended on Monmouth to film a protest in defence of the Catalpa tree.

Monmouthshire County Council has pledged to fell the Catalpa before Christmas, particularly following an incident last week when a diverted lorry clipped an overhanging branch to further destabilise the tree.

But local campaigners, who were led by the Monmouth Action Group and the Town Council, remain convinced the tree is salvageable and invited television crews to attend a public protest on Monday, which highlighted their concerns.

ITV Wales reporter Heath Jeffries said: "I spoke to Stephen (Clarke, chairman of Monmouth Action Group) last week and he's obviously told everyone to come down here today."

Mr Jeffries interviewed Mr Clarke, as well as local businessmen and campaign supporters Phillip Powell and Michael Skidmore. Meanwhile, pupils from Monmouth Comprehensive School and other Catalpa fans including Town mayor Cllr Sue Chivers chanted "Save Our Tree".

Speaking to the cameras, Mr Clarke said he was very keen to save the tree and again stressed that expert Roy Finch had said the tree could survive necessary pruning. He added: "We're trying to get the County Council to listen to us."

When Mr Jeffries put it to Mr Clarke that the tree would have to chopped down sooner or later, Mr Clarke responded: "But that may be many years in the future."

Mr Powell emphasised the importance of the tree as a tourist attraction and noted its beauty in the summer. And he said the County Council had a "legal responsibility" to maintain the tree.

Local estate agent and Catalpa supporter Michael Skidmore has started a fund to help fellow campaigners fight the County Council's plans. Mr Skidmore revealed the details of his pledge to Monmouth Town Council on Monday night.