A spirited group of Bushey residents have won a battle against a global tile company to have a row of noise-blocking trees re-planted behind their houses.

Homeowners, in Highwood Avenue, were left furious after the birch trees, which limited the noise from the M1 and A41, were torn down without warning by Spanish tile giant Porcelanosa, in September last year.

They then fought back, enlisting the help of Liberal Democrats councillor Miki Colne who, through Hertsmere Borough Council, had the trees re-planted on March 7.

Highwood Avenue resident Barbara Ladmore, who fought to get the trees back, said: “It is great - it's nice to know that us members of the public have got one over on a big company like them.

“I couldn't understand it, they just would not talk to us.

“There were foxes running around our road after they cut the trees down, they must have destroyed their habitat, not to mention the noise the trees cut out from the A41.”

After the complaints, the council's tree and landscape department initiated discussions with Porcelanosa and found that the tree removal breached certain planning agreements.

Fellow campaigner and resident Chantal Smith said: “We were very pleased with the outcome - at last they have been re-planted.

“We are very grateful for the help given by the council in fighting to get them put back.”

A preservation order was also granted on the 46 yew trees planted at the rear of the houses, ensuring their long term future.

Despite the success of the campaign, Councillor Colne was disappointed that it had taken until now to get the result they wanted.

She said: “I am sure the officers at Hertsmere were doing their best but it was an unacceptable length of time.

“I am delighted with the outcome, not just for the re-planting of the trees but the fact we managed to get a preservation order on them too.”

Despite the initial lack of contact by Porcelanosa with the residents, council officers ensured their requests were not ignored.

Tree and landscape officer Daniel Simpson said: “Porcelanosa were very co-operative throughout and we were very pleased with how quickly the process went.”

Councillor Colne added: “For now this should be the end of it but if needed I would take the matter up again.”