Hadleigh town council has issued a solicitor's letter threatening to take out an injunction against a resident who has aired concerns over the safety of the High Street Christmas trees.

Town council manager Cheryl Tye has been criticised for her handling of the project after a number of trees came loose and there were questions over her management of the outside contractors.

The concerned resident, who is an experienced tree expert, spoke with shop owners about how well, or otherwise, the trees were secured and found some were also unhappy with the way they were left.

Complaints were made by more than one resident, about trees falling over, hanging down or improperly secured, were sent to the town council. Concerns over the traffic management during the erection of the trees were also aired.

Questions were asked if the £42,000 a year town manager Ms Tye had carried out proper risk assessments, and checks on the contractors licenses and qualifications.

Previously, a small army of volunteers from Hadleigh have successfully put up the trees and secured them while being supervised and traffic management has been conducted by an expert company.

A short video shows a resident engaging in a polite and calm conversation with contractors involved in erecting the trees but the council accused the resident of adopting a threatening attitude towards shop owners, and intrusive behaviour towards the workers erecting the tree.

Acting on instructions from mayor Frank Minns, Newmarket firm Bendall and Sons wrote to one of the complainants, a Hadleigh resident, who has asked not to be named, and demanded they agree to:

"cease and desist your current behaviour towards the Council, its employees and workmen.

withdraw your comments and criticism of the Council and its employees and

make a full apology for your behaviour to the Council and the Council Manager."

The resident has denied making any threats, or being intrusive. She accepts a phone call to town clerk Wendy Brame became heated but has subsequently apologised directly for her 'stern words'.

She told Nub News: "I was genuinely concerned that some of the trees had not been erected safely both in terms of the traffic management when it was clear pedestrians were being allowed to walk underneath the cherry picker and also, there was a danger the trees could fall down on to people passing by.

"It was horrible to be threatened by the mayor with an injunction for asking questions and being concerned that the council were not acting correctly.

"Despite being concerned at the consequences for myself, I refuse to be bullied and intimidated into staying silent.

"I totally deny I have been threatening or intrusive and have to say I'm shocked at the way the council have behaved."

Nub News contacted the Cllr Minns and the town council for their side of the issue but was told there would be no comment.

The council also refused to say how much the legal action against the resident will cost Hadleigh taxpayers.

Contents of the solicitor's letter

1. agree to cease and desist your current behaviour towards the Council, its employees and workmen.
2. withdraw your comments and criticism of the Council and its employees and
3. make a full apology for your behaviour to the Council and the Council Manager.