This is why so many trees have been cut back in West Park in South Shields

Over the last week a number of trees have been trimmed in both West Park off Stanhope Road and Readhead Park on Cemetery Approach.

Residents, who say the park is “unrecognisable” now, are concerned over the impact this could have on wildlife.

“They have cut everything back, you wouldn’t even recognise the park, it looks like a totally different place,” said Catherine Whinship, who regularly visits West Park.

“Our main concern is the wildlife, it will have cleared the birds off and there might have been hedgehogs hibernating in the bushes.”

Ms Whinship added: “A lot of people are very upset about it. We can’t do anything about it now, but we would like to know why they have done it.”

In response council bosses, who gave the work the go-ahead, said that the trees have been cut back as part of the pruning process to encourage healthy growth next spring.

A spokesman for the council said: "No trees have been cut down in West Park. Some self-sown trees were removed a number of months ago in Readhead Park because they were in a location which could not support their long term viability.

"We also undertake pruning of trees and shrubs that become overgrown and difficult to manage. This encourages healthy and vigorous growth, which provides a more sustainable environment.”

The Friends of West Park Group has also reiterated that the trimming was necessary due to trees and shrubs being overgrown.

Secretary Douglas Mather, added: “The trees have been cut back because they had become very overgrown and this is the season for pruning so that they will flower better next year.”

In November, with help from members of the public, the Friends of West Park planted more than 200 trees in the park, which had all been donated by the Woodland Trust.

Mr Mather added: “The park does look very open and it looks like the trees have been cut really far back, but this is for regrowth.”