AN ICONIC Lake District monkey puzzle tree is being felled this afternoon - despite a high profile campaign to save it.

Contractors moved into the Brockhole garden to axe the 110-year-old tree without giving any notice.

The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), which owns the 30-acre site, had previously said it was not going to reveal the felling date on health and safety grounds.

It was feared protestors would gather round the tree to prevent it being taken down.

The monkey puzzle, planted at Brockhole by Beatrix Potter's cousins the Gaddam family, is being axed by the Lake District National Park Authority as part of a controversial redevelopment of the Edwardian garden.

Wildlife artist Marianne Birkby, a leading campaigner to save the tree, described the LDNPA's action as 'diabolical'.

An LDNPA spokesman said: "People should not be surprised to hear that the tree is being felled.

"We said back in March that our members had approved the decision to fell the tree and that November would be the best time to carry out the work.

"The reasons for the felling have been well voiced already and people are aware that the tree was not part of the original garden designs.

"We have not publicised in advance today’s work because health and safety concerns mean we would not want anyone other than trained specialists to be around the tree when it was being felled.

"Other parts of Brockhole remain open as usual. In the future, we will be planting another monkey puzzle tree in a more appropriate location at Brockhole."