PROTESTS over the fate of trees at two sites in the centre of Oxford restarted today.

At Bonn Square, Gabriel Chamberlain, who has occupied a tree since last week protesting against plans to redevelop the area, had to scurry back up to his perch this morning after a large number of police and security staff appeared.

Witnesses at the scene said the 34-year-old had come down the tree to go to the toilet earlier this morning.

Police then turned up on the scene and Mr Chamberlain's supporters shouted warnings to him.

About 25 police and security staff are now surrounding the tree.

Meanwhile, two other protesters have gone back up trees earmarked for felling near the Westgate carpark today and appear, according to witnesses, to be "set for the long haul".

Bruce Hegerty, who two days ago voluntarily climbed down a London Plane tree to seemingly stop his protest, has again scaled security fences to regain his tree-top perch and is accompanied by a fellow protestor named Stig.

The pair scaled the 100-year-old trees which are set to be chopped down as part of a £330m renovation of the Westgate Centre at about 7.45am.

A supporter of the protestors said this time there would not be a quick end to their actions.

Miriam Hadcocks, 34, from East Oxford said: "I think when Bruce first went up it was an immediate response to something that was happening and he didn't have time to bring supplies.

"This time they're a bit more equipped. They're here for the long haul this time."

She added there was no security guards or police around this morning to prevent them re-taking their trees.