OXFORDSHIRE County Council has denied that a recent refurbishment of Market Square in Witney has killed trees.

Witney Town Council members made the claim and has told the County Hall of their dissatisfaction with the work.

The county council said leaf loss from the trees, which became apparent before the recent hot, dry weather, was possibly the result of a bacterial disease, but pledged to monitor the situation.

Market Square was reopened earlier this month after £40,000 worth of county council work to repave the area.

Paving stones had become a trip hazard after being lifted by tree roots.

But the town councillors hit out at the scheme at Monday’s leisure and recreation committee.

Councillor Jim King said: “Those trees are dead. It is the way they cut the roots.

“They have literally chopped them dead.”

He added after the meeting: “I am no expert but they look sad and shouldn’t be this time of year.

“Market Square looks fantastic but if the trees die it would be a shame because the square would lose its character.”

County Hall spokesman Martin Crabtree denied that its contractors had killed the trees.

He said: “There has been some damage to a very few trees but we do not believe the trees have died.

“While the arboriculturists have not had the opportunity to examine the trees since the reported leaf loss, they have said that they would not expect to see direct damage associated with this type of root damage until the next growing season.

“It is also possible that the trees are suffering from a bacterial disease known as anthracnose which causes premature leaf loss on plane trees during the summer or from roots drying out while exposed.”