DOZENS of residents and councillors gathered to protest against a cluster of "dangerous" trees in Kearsley, on Tuesday evening.

The residents, from around the Grosvenor Street area, united to voice their concerns about a number of overgrown trees which straddle the road near to St John's Playing Fields.

Last month one of the large trees was blown down on to St Peter's Way during Storm Ali, blocking one lane of the carriageway.

A second was also blown down and many residents now feel "that that it is only a matter of time before the rest are blown down".

They have also raised fears for the safety of householders and their children, who often play nearby, as well as pedestrians walking to Farnworth, and to the two primary schools and nursery located within 100 meters of the trees.

Further they are also concerned by the threat of structural damage to their homes and problems cause by falling leaves.

One resident, Mrs Yvonne Ludford, said: "It has been a nightmare. This is about health and safety. The tree over my house looks like if it came down it would come through my house.

"We have got a really serious problem and it's getting dangerous.

"Branches have come down two or three times in the last week, and there's a school and nursery nearby."

She added: "When I moved here 20 years ago there was light coming into my house, but now the shadow from the trees is terrible. It's a mess and it's awful living here now."

Another resident, Mr Philip Scott, said: "We have been campaigning for three years to get these trees cut down, which is outrageous.

"These are massive trees and we have got an issue with branches that are hanging over our back yards, dropping leaves and creating a slippery surface. And there's a risk of the trees falling down."

Councillor Julie Pattison has now requested a safety inspection be carried out and invited the Community Pay Back Team to attempt to trim the trees back.

She has also encouraged resident to write to Bolton Council to share their concerns.