THEIR leaves may be loved by cuddly koalos, but two giant eucalyptus trees growing on a village hall’s land are posing “an imminent danger to life and property”.

Three of the native Australian trees, which can grow to 200ft in height, were planted on land now owned by Blaisdon Village Hall 16 years ago.

But one of them snapped at the base and fell down without warning just over a year ago, and with the two remaining trees growing at up to six feet a year beside the hall car park, members fear they could cause damage and injury from snapped branches or by completely falling over.

Planners asked to approve their chopping down were told that neighbouring houses, a field used by horses, cattle and sheep, fences, a greenhouse, two septic tanks, a brick outbuilding and other trees were all in the firing line if the taller 65ft-high tree toppled over.

Village hall spokesman John Higgins told them: “During high winds in the winter of 2017/18, one of the three snapped at the base and fell to the ground, fortunately causing no damage or injury.

“They are forest trees, native to Australia, and apparently have a reputation when planted singly of shedding large heavy branches without any warning during dry weather and for falling down completely in high winds.

“They are capable of growing to a very great height and it is possible that the two remaining trees are no more than half grown.

“If the taller tree fell it could, depending on the direction of the fall, cause damage to one of three neighbouring properties,” he added.

As well as endangering other property, “it could fall into a field where horses, cattle and sheep are regularaly grazed, and of course there is the danger of serious injury to anyone in adjoining fields and gardens.

“This species grows very rapdly, up to six feet per year, so within a few years, if it fell, it might even reach the boundary of the village hall itself.

“We believe that both trees present an imminent danger to life and property and should be felled.”

Forest Council planners agreed and gave permission to chop them down after hearing the village hall intended to replace them with cherry trees.