A man from Beckenham who felled three protected trees must cough up a whopping £15,000 in fines and costs.

Peter Clarke, 67, of Westgate Road, pleaded guilty to the illegal felling at Croydon Crown Court.

He asked Bromley Council to have the trees chopped down in 2007 so his garden could be landscaped but the application was refused.

This was because the pine trees had a Tree Preservation Order on them since 1997.

Mr Clarke wrote back to the council in 2014 claiming he couldn’t sell his home because of the “deteriorating trees”.

The council arranged an independent inspection but two months later a contractor was hired by Mr Clarke resulting in the death of the trees and leading to his prosecution.

Executive councillor for public protection and enforcement, Kate Lymer, said: “Householders are responsible for their privately-owned land and its upkeep and this includes their obligations as custodians of trees with preservation orders on them.

“Enforcement and prosecution is always a last resort for us but when the amenity of the local area is seriously affected by the actions of one individual, we have no choice but to act, to protect the amenity of everyone.

"Our borough is renowned for its character and trees are integral part of this.”

Mr Clarke must pay the fines and costs within three months.

He wasn't prosecuted until this year because the defendant failed to attend requested interviews, which the council said caused delays.