POLICE and council officials are investigating after a protected oak tree sited on public land was felled.

Witnesses said the tree, thought to be 100 years old, was felled on Bank Holiday Monday May 4 on land in Valley Road, Throop.

Dorset Police has been informed and council officers are investigating.

Geoff Turnbull, engineering services manager for Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “The matter has been reported to police and is under investigation.”