MEMBERS of a social club demanded swift action when they found a tree was responsible for the poor quality of their satellite TV picture.

But when John Regan, secretary of Boroughbridge Social Club, did as he was told by his committee and commissioned work to get branches lopped off the sycamore on the bank of the River Tutt outside the club in Fishergate, he found himself in trouble.

The work he ordered to be done last August - ironically by committee member Ernest Bailes, who unlike Mr Regan had had a vote on the issue - was spotted by the Town Mayor, Geoff Craggs, who called in Harrogate Borough Council.

And after being called to the council offices for an interview, Mr Regan, of Church Close, Kirby Hill, Boroughbridge, found himself charged with lopping a tree in a conservation area, an offence which brought him a £400 fine and a bill for £1,177.36 in costs at Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday.

Council barrister Ian Ponter said significant lopping had been carried out to the tree which was bang in the middle of the conservation area, a location which meant council permission should have been sought first. There had been significant harm to the appearance of the area.

In mitigation, David Camidge suggested the council had taken a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Had it exercised a degree of tolerance and been prepared to discuss the matter, it could have been dealt with on a sensible basis instead of bringing the unfortunate Mr Regan before the court. "He feels aggrieved at the action taken against him."

Orders to trim the sycamore, a species which had been described by one authority as a large weed, had been handed down by his committee and Mr Regan had to see they were carried out. "You may have a degree of sympathy for him," said Mr Camidge.

Presiding magistrate Mary Tennant allowed 28 days for payment of the fine and costs after being told by Mr Cammidge that the club would pick up the bill.