THE future of a 300-year-old Witney oak tree was secured today after councillors approved work to prevent it from being cut down.

West Oxfordshire District Council's cabinet this afternoon agreed to save the tree on Madley Park, with work set to take place on June 11 and 12.

Contractors have been appointed to pollard the tree, which will see it pruned to limit its size.

A root barrier will also be installed, with the work paid for by the council's insurers.

Read also: Huge tree falls down in Oxford

More than 1,100 people had signed a petition to save the tree, after plans emerged that it could be removed as it was damaging an adjacent property.

Council leader, James Mills, said: "It's an important landmark historically, ecologically and evironmentally.

"I'm glad that, in line with local residents wishes, we've been able to take steps to stop the tree being cut down."

The petition was formally presented to West Oxfordshire District Council at a meeting last month, before the council submitted a report on the tree.