A man who cut back a tree hanging metres over his garden fence was shocked to receive a visit from police after reports of criminal damage.

Mark Barfoot, 38, took a chainsaw to the London plane tree planted in the grounds of Holy Family Primary School in Witham, 30cm from his garden fence.

He claims he got permission to do the work from the school caretaker in August after being allowed to cut back the tree next to it in January.

Mr Barfoot intended to save the school money, bring sunlight back into his back garden and cut the volume of leaves which fall "waist-deep" onto his lawn.

But days after the pruning session, during which he cut the tree from 10m in height to 6m, the police came knocking after the head and governors of the primary school claim they had not been consulted.

Anne Kelliher, headteacher, said: "Staff and children returned to school very upset after a recent weekend, to see a much treasured tree severely cut back by a neighbour.

"The school followed procedures when criminal damage has been caused to their property and reported the incident.

"However, out of respect for a valued neighbour chose not to press charges but instead for police to advise of the school’s rights."

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for more.