Fury as trees cut for adverts

Permission has been granted for two 75ft high signs to be put up alongside the M6 to target drivers and their passengers as they pass.

But it has emerged eight trees have had their branches lopped by the club so passers-by can see the posters better when they are erected.

The move has infuriated residents living near the club who say it is "sanctioned tree vandalism".

Retired Russell Armitage, aged 65, living in nearby Lord Street, has just set up home in Walsall after emigrating from New Zealand.

"I have just moved here and I am appalled to see what has happened," he said.

"I think it is disgusting to massacre these trees just so people can see an advertising hoarding better from the motorway. I think Walsall Football Club should be ashamed of themselves."

Andrew Poole, spokesman for Walsall Football Club, admitted bosses at Banks's Stadium had arranged for the trees to be chopped to make way for the new advertising hoardings.

He said: "Eight trees have been cut down. It is to enable the new advertising hoardings to be seen more easily from the M6. "The work was essential to enable them to have the greatest impact possible."

Plans for the two huge posters were given the go-ahead by Walsall Council's development control committee last year.