SPECIALIST consultants have been brought in to decide the future of a number of lime trees at Portishead's Lake Grounds. Experts are to use hi tech thermal imaging equipment to survey the trees along Beach Road West in a bid to assess their structural saf

SPECIALIST consultants have been brought in to decide the future of a number of lime trees at Portishead's Lake Grounds.Experts are to use hi tech thermal imaging equipment to survey the trees along Beach Road West in a bid to assess their structural safety.If the trees prove to be damaged, the council will be forced either to partially cut them down or fell them altogether.A further 20 along Lake Road are also being surveyed in a bid to make sure they are structurally safe. The move to survey the trees comes after one of the limes blew down in recent strong winds.Fortunately the tree blew towards the coast, falling on a nearby grassed area but had it fallen the other way, it could have crushed nearby homes and cars.North Somerset Council trees and countryside officer John Flannigan said: "This is a relatively new technique and is being carried out by a specialist consultant."These trees are an important feature of the Lake Grounds and we will only act if there is a health and safety issue." A full report into the safety of the trees is expected by the end of the month."Portishead councillor Dave Pasley has been working with local residents to keep them informed on the safety of the 100ft high trees.Councillor Pasleys said: "The actual disease which is causing the problems cannot be seen on the outer tree and this is why thermal imaging equipment had to be used. "Aesthetically these trees are very important and it would be a shame to lose them."However health and safety has to come first and if any of them are diseased or dangerous then they will have to come down. "They are very close to nearby homes and if they came down in high winds they could be extremely dangerous.