Sheffield council votes to fell trees planted in memory of war dead

Campaigners condemn move to chop down tribute to local soldiers in long-running row over 2bn renovation

Councillors in Sheffield have voted to fell dozens of trees planted 98 years ago in honour of fallen soldiers in a move attacked by critics as "the first publicly sanctioned desecrations of a war memorial".

Campaigners have fought a long battle with Sheffield city council over the fate of the trees, planted in 1919 as a "living memorial" to soldiers killed in the first world war.