Protesters stopped tree surgeons' power saws to win a stay of execution for a 100-year-old cherry tree.

Residents sprang into action to save the ancient tree which blossoms every spring.

It had been given a death sentence by Brighton and Hove City Council to make way for a 45-flat development on the site of a former hospital.

Residents of Norfolk Terrace and Temple Gardens, Brighton, staged a last-minute demonstration as tree surgeons started cutting branches away yesterday.

Developers Fairclough Homes stopped the work after listening to their pleas.

Teacher Maude Casey, of Norfolk Terrace, said: "It is a beautiful tree which is enjoyed by everyone who lives in the area.

"People from neighbouring streets come to look at it when it blossoms in the spring because it is such a magnificent sight.

"The council's planning committee agreed it should come down when other trees on the site are being kept.

"We have not been able to find out from them if there is a tree preservation order on it or not. Some of us have been told there is.

"The council did not tell us when the tree would be chopped down, otherwise there would have been more people here to protest.

"I was at home and saw what was happening."

Keith Blake, site manager for Fairclough Homes, said: "The council has approved the tree being felled and we were just doing our jobs.

"When I saw that people were getting so upset about it, I called the council and told them we would stop work for now."

He said excavation work needed on site was almost certain to affect the tree's roots and it would probably die as a result.

Mr Blake said if the council decided to keep the tree he would do his best to save it.

He said: "We have already offered to replace it with two young cherry trees if it does come down.

"We are willing to put a third cherry tree in but that could create problems with blocking light to the flats when they get bigger."

A city council spokesman confirmed there was a preservation order on the cherry tree.

He said: "This was taken into account. By insisting on three new flowering cherry trees to replace the one coming down we are safeguarding the environment for future generations.

"It will be sad to see the tree go but it is very old and had limited life expectancy."