TORIES AXE FALLS ON SHIRLEY OAKS

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 4th Oct 2006

Shirley residents and Liberal Democrat campaigners joined Lorely Burt MP in a protest over Solihull Conservative run council's plans to axe the ancient oak circle in Shirley Park.

The oaks will be removed after a recent Cabinet decision approved the annexing of three hectares of Shirley parkland to make way for an Asda superstore.

The demonstration was staged on the same day as the Conservatives held their environment debate at their annual party conference in Bournemouth.

"One of the first actions the Conservatives have taken in Solihull since their party changed its logo to an oak tree is to sanction the removal of these ancient oaks in Shirley Park! It's not what they say but what they do in Solihull that concerns more and more residents," said Lorely Burt.