Families have called a proposal to cut down trees planted in memory of loved ones an "act of vandalism". 

Brighton and Hove City Council plans to remove up to 76 trees at Stanmer Park, as part of a four million pound regeneration project to restore the park to how it looked in the 18th century. 

Jo Sweeting paid £200 to plant a horse chestnut tree 17 years ago in memory of her late mother, who was a nature-lover, in the hope it would live through several generations. 

Her son George Sweeting said the tree planted in memory of his grandmother, Joy Towner, was "a constant and living reminder of who my nanna was as a person". 

"The idea of it having to be cut down is devastating," he said.

The Stanmer Preservation Society, a charity committed to protecting and preserving the village, said the trees were an example of living heritage and there was no reason to fell healthy ones.

Brighton and Hove City Council said the 76 trees scheduled for removal included 40 trees that were "in very poor condition" and up to 14 groups of smaller trees which were mainly self-sown saplings. 

The council said it was contacting affected families to discuss the proposals.

No trees will be cut down until autumn.