Council secures "one of the largest" fines for chopped down oak trees
16 oaks were illegally felled in Warsash near Fareham
What is believed to be one of the largest fines for chopping down protected trees has been given to a man near Fareham.
Sixteen oaks were illegally felled in Warsash.
Fareham Borough Council said it hoped the £81,415 penalty would act as a deterrent for others tempted to offend.
Councillor Simon Martin, executive member for planning and development, said: "This is a significant prosecution for the council.
"Breaching tree preservation orders is unacceptable and we will do everything we can to prosecute offenders in Fareham.
"This was not just one or two trees but 16 in total and they will take hundreds of years to replace, not to mention the damage to the ecosystem and biodiversity of the area.
"We understand that this is one of the largest fines imposed for a tree preservation order breach and I believe it was entirely warranted."