A protected tree whose branches have fallen blocking a road and causing a power cut could be felled.

David Golder has applied to chop down the horse chestnut tree on the boundary of his property at Northwold, near Downham Market, "as a matter of urgency".

The specimen, on Little London Road, is the subject of a tree preservation order.

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But Mr Golder says in his application to fell it: "A large bough has dropped off twice blocking the road and on one occasion taking out the electric power lines severing power to a large number of properties.

"The boughs fallen have on one of the occasions narrowly missed the neighbour's chalkstone outbuilding and should the tree fall entirely it would hit their property, take out the power lines and block the road."

Mr Golder believes honey fungus is present in the tree and says he has beech, mulberry and hornbeam trees ready to replace it if West Norfolk Council agrees for it to be felled.