Neighbours wept as their last-minute protest failed to save eight trees from being cut down to make way for a train cleaning depot.

At one stage they refused to let workmen on to the site near Hove station.

They said the trees were home to nesting birds, squirrels and other wildlife.

The householders blocked the site for more than six hours yesterday but the workers eventually used another entrance further down the line.

Annie Kemp, of Hove Park Villas, said: "We have got our own little ecosystem here with the trees and shrubs.

"I am weeping because they are just destroying it without any thought for the environment or the people who live here."

People living near the site claimed they were given assurances the trees would not be cut down until August. However, they received letters on Friday from rail company Southern saying the felling would happen yesterday.

The neighbours staged a hastily organised demonstration outside Hove Park Villas at 8am but could only watch in disbelief as workmen found a way in and started cutting the trees down at 2pm.

Kate Brooker, 78, of Wilbury Avenue, said: "By taking down these trees they are murdering our community.

"They gave us shelter from the railway and provided a green lung for this part of Hove.

"Now it is going to be like Blackpool illuminations round here with lights, security cameras and all sorts shining in our windows. I have a good mind to ask Southern to build a 10ft brick wall at the bottom of my garden as compensation, because I don't want to know what is going on over there.

"I am completely stressed out about this because it is just one thing after the other with these people. I am not getting any sleep at night. At 78 I should not have to put up with this. I am at my wits' end."

Lucy Molsom, of Hove Park Villas, said: "They have already pruned the trees further down so all the wildlife has moved up into the remaining eight trees. If they are cut down, the birds and animals will have nowhere else to go."

Earlier, police observers had filmed from a footbridge as the contractors moved in to start work.

Protesters had claimed the felling was being carried out in contravention of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

There was also concern some of the demonstrators might try to get on to the track to prevent work starting.

Officers were given assurances by Southern's site managers that the company was fully aware of the Act.

It said contractors would not cut down any tree if an occupied birds' nest was discovered in it.

David Kemp, of campaign group Wilbury Residents Against Traincleaning at Hove (Wrath), said the trees were being removed to make way for accommodation huts for workers who would clean train carriages at the new depot.

He said: "Even Network Rail's own ecology report recommends deferral of such work until the beginning of August."

Hove councillor Anne Giebeler, who joined the protest, successfully won the backing of Brighton and Hove City Council over the way residents had been treated.

Councillors passed a resolution at a meeting last week condemning Network Rail and Southern trains and calling on them to adopt a "good neighbour" policy rather than take advantage of permitted development rights.

Coun Giebeler said: "Yet again, they have ridden roughshod over the wishes of local people.

"They seem to think they can do what they like without paying regard to their human rights or environmental concerns."

A Southern spokeswoman said all the trees would be inspected to make sure no wildlife was living in them before they were felled.

She said: "Part of the project involves installing a small Portakabin for workers to use on the site.

"Installing this will damage the roots of these trees and this will make them unstable. Because of this we felt it was safest to remove them.

"We have agreed with the council that felling the trees is the best option and we will be replacing them with new trees and shrubs."