In May, Rother District Council took the decision to cut down several trees in Mount Street car park - without consulting the town council.

Council chairman Ron Harris branded the work 'pure vandalism' and promised to write a strongly worded letter to Rother about the situation.

But at Tuesday's council meeting, Cllr Harris said that despite Rother agreeing to replace the trees, nothing had yet been done.

Cllr Harris said: "We have a very clear policy that trees should not be removed unless in the direst of circumstances."

Rother councillor for Crowhurst, Angharad Davies, said: "Because of this issue - I know everyone felt very strongly about it - I did tell Mr Stevens (chief executive of Rother District Council) about it because the lack of consultation between Rother and Battle Town Council was a true oversight."

District councillor for Battle town, Kathryn Field, had previously taken the issue up with Madeline Gorman, of Rother District Council, who had given the go-ahead for the tree cutting, and asked her to keep the town council informed of the situation.

But addressing the town council, Cllr Field, who was also not informed the work was going to take place, said she was 'disappointed' Ms Gorman appeared to have failed to keep councillors up-to-date.

Cllr Harris said: "I was absolutely furious and I made that clear.

"We feel we have been snubbed and are very annoyed about it.

"But the question then is what is the sensible way to deal with the situation?

"It's Rother's car park at the end of the day."

Cllr Maureen Newson said: "If they made a costly mistake, they should jolly well put it right."

The chopping down of the trees has also angered residents, who have sent a petition to Rother and some have even offered to replace the trees themselves.

Cllr Harris said the town council was not aware of the petition and said the issue of what to do about the trees should be discussed in full at a later date after

Cllr Harris said: "The first thing to do is tell Rother to hold everything and do nothing, then get all the facts together and have the issue on the agenda for the next council meeting."