Mounting anger over Mayor's plan to axe racecourse trees

Council workers sent to remove trees on the Town Moor golf course were forced to leave by the group of residents in March and the scheme was quietly shelved.

The golf course lies in the centre of the racetrack and the Mayor, a racing fan, claims it is necessary to chop down hundreds of trees to improve the grandstand view.

But the protesters argue the land is held in trust for the people of Doncaster by the council, and claim Mr Davies is acting outside his powers.

John Anderson, a member of the group which staged the March protest, said: "We understand these new plans have been drawn up at a cost of 10,000 and the cost will go up.

"The Mayor has just had to apologise to the people of Doncaster for cutting budgets and community projects because of cuts imposed by Government."

The council has given anyone with objections two weeks to put them in writing. It is understood the golf club which plays on the course will object.

Yesterday, the Mayor was indulging his passion for racing by posing with a racehorse outside a pub to promote the forthcoming St Leger Festival.

He refused to comment on his plans for the course but said he was looking forward to hosting an extended festival.