A tearful tree campaigner claimed Essex County Council used bully-boy tactics to thwart her peaceful protest.

Sarah White, 24, handcuffed herself to a 50-year-old ash tree outside her home in Baddow Road, Chelmsford, to protest against the destruction of the trees, which will make way for a bus lane as part of the new park-and-ride at Sandon.

But when the Swampy-style protester left her post for a brief time, contractors moved in and started to cut down the tree.

The workmen turned up on Friday by surprise - three days earlier than planned.

"I'm absolutely devastated," she said. "I'm heart-broken. I feel so bad that I've failed."

A spokeswoman for Essex County Council said: "The contractors have taken an opportunity to move in before the weekend. They were ready to make a start and get it out of the way before rush-hour on Monday.

"We respect people's right to demonstrate. If anyone wishes to complain, we will be happy to listen."

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Published Monday, February 21, 2005

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