Council planners want to cut down a tree in Oxford - because they fear it could fall and kill someone.

The owner has applied to have the ash tree in his Worcester Street garden removed, and a new sapling planted in its place.

But the application was discussed at the central, south and west area committee meeting on Wednesday, and councillors voted to approve a Tree Preservation Order - meaning the tree cannot be cut down yet.

A decision on felling the tree was deferred until the next meeting in November.

The move comes after the inquest into the death of 22-year-old Angela Regoczy who was killed when a diseased horse chestnut crashed on to the parked car she was sitting in during a violent storm in 2002.

The inquest cleared Oxford City Council of any blame, but they had known since 1999 that the tree was rotten and a potential hazard.

It was due to be removed more than a year before the accident.

Planning officer Murray Hancock said there was still "some doubt" about the condition of the diseased tree in Worcester Street, but it is not a danger - yet.

He said: "We have to make a Tree Preservation Order then give consent for the tree to be removed. We are conscious of public safety in these matters."

The owner, who doesn't want to be named, was told by Mike Boys of Boward Tree Surgery that the tree is in a poor condition and needs to be cut-back substantially - a process known as pollarding.

The owner said: "It isn't necessary to fell the whole tree on safety grounds but otherwise we would be left with a tree that had been severely pollarded and was not particularly attractive.

"I am going to have to deal with it at some time or another."

Some people are against felling the tree. Green Party councillor Sushila Dhall said: "Jericho is an area of very few trees and public spaces. That makes this tree of extra significance."

Jericho city councillor Susanna Pressel said: "It is a beautiful tree and we would miss it if it wasn't there.

"On the other hand, it is apparently very diseased now and it would be absolutely dreadful if it fell on someone."

Council conservation officer Nick Worlledge said: "We have already had experience of when the risk is very severe.

"The easiest way to secure that risk is to get rid of the suspect tree."