A student has kept a lone vigil to prevent the last remaining tree on land behind his home from being felled.

Workmen moved onto the site off Kitson Hill Road, Mirfield, and started chopping down around 30 mature trees.

But Antony Milek , 19, decided to make a stand.

While all the other trees were cut down, Antony planted a chair beneath the tree directly behind his back fence in Lady Heton Drive.

That meant the workmen couldn’t remove the tree with him so close.

And he has vowed to stay there as long as it takes, only going inside during the daytime for toilet breaks.

“This tree has been here my whole life and I want to save it,” said Antony, a student at Batley Art College.

Antony’s stand has won the support of neighbours who believe the land, part of a derelict farm, may be about to be developed.

A planning application to convert an existing house with attached barn into two homes has been approved by Kirklees Council.

Permission was also granted for another barn to be demolished.

Antony’s brother Simon, 28, said the family didn’t object to development but wanted to make sure everything was done properly.

Simon, who used to work for the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, has reported the tree felling to the Forestry Commission, which is investigating to see whether a licence was needed.

Anthony Milek (left) and brother, Simon Milek guard the ash tree which is in danger of being felled behind their home on Lady Heton Drive, Mirfield
Anthony Milek (left) and brother, Simon Milek guard the ash tree which is in danger of being felled behind their home on Lady Heton Drive, Mirfield

There was no preservation order on the trees but Simon said the land was a haven for wildlife and bats had been seen in the area.

The site is believed to be owned by John Hinchliffe but he could not be contacted.

Agent Pete Gleave, of ID Planning in Leeds, who handled the planning application, did not respond to requests for a comment.