FOUR churchyard yew trees are facing the chop in a village Conservation Zone because they could soon start to encroach on graves.

Herefordshire Council has given the green light for the removal of the 3m-high Fastigutate yews, which are not ancient specimens, in the southern part of the churchyard at St Marys Church, Fownhope,

Planning officers accepted that removing the trees would have a "minimal" impact on the churchyard and conservation zone.

The application was made by Reverend Dr Christopher Moore, who told planners: "The trees are conflicting with existing graves, which will become more apparent as the trees mature."

He said the trees were "reasonably modest in size" and their removal would not a have a sizeable impact.