The only tree on a busy Crystal Palace high street has been removed because it posed a danger to residents.

The sizeable potted tree near Budgens supermarket in Westow Hill was removed by Lambeth Council because it had become too large for its pot and was considered a danger in high winds.

A Lambeth Council spokesman said: “It was at very real risk of toppling over in the wind and seriously hurting someone, but as soon as the planting season begins in around October we are planning to replace it with a number of new trees planted properly in pits in the ground."

He said the council only removed a tree when it had good reason and always tried to replace it with one nearby.