A group of local residents are standing guard in front of an 180-year-old oak tree day and night to protect it from being felled.<br /><br />Sarah Mumford, 62, is one of three leading figures for a local community group working in rotating shifts to stand, sit and sleep by the ancient oak tree.<br /><br />Leeds City Council initially proposed to fell the tree in Otley in August to replace a pedestrian walkway as it "reached the end of its usable life and needs major repairs".<br /><br />The walkway was installed in 1957 to accompany Otley Bridge, now used for motor vehicles, which was constructed nearly 800 years ago in 1228.
