More than 50 trees are set to be felled around a leafy Norfolk village.

Many of the specimens set to be axed at Castle Rising, near King's Lynn, have succumbed to diseases including ash dieback and Dutch elm.

A tree surgeon's report says they include "a dominant tree in the village", a lime which stands in a corner of the churchyard and is in "terminal decline".

Eastern Daily Press: A lime tree which is set to be felled at castle RisingA lime tree which is set to be felled at castle Rising (Image: Chris Bishop)

It adds a nearby elm has been "killed by Dutch elm disease", while nine ash trees have "significant ash dieback infection".

Dutch elm, caused by a fungus spread by beetles, has destroyed millions of trees over the last 50 years.

There are fears ash dieback, which was first found in the UK in 2012, will have a similar impact.

Eastern Daily Press: More than 50 trees in the village are set to be felled More than 50 trees in the village are set to be felled (Image: Chris Bishop)

Eastern Daily Press: Part of an ash tree affected by dieback diseasePart of an ash tree affected by dieback disease (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

A number of specimens in the grounds of The Hall on Old Hunstanton Road and along Lynn Road and Castle Rising Road are also earmarked to be felled, including ash, elm, oak and pine.

A council tree officer's report says: "All of the tree work proposed is well considered to mitigate risk, is in the interests of good tree management practice, and will not result in any impact to the character of the Castle Rising conservation area."

Eastern Daily Press: Lord Howard pictured at the church is Castle RisingLord Howard pictured at the church is Castle Rising (Image: Ian Burt)

Eastern Daily Press: Castle Rising Castle, which was built in the 12th CenturyCastle Rising Castle, which was built in the 12th Century (Image: Ian Burt)

Lord Howard of Rising, who owns much of the land around the village which is famed for its Norman castle, has been given permission to carry out the work by West Norfolk council.

No objections were received to the application.

Before Christmas, the 83-year-old peer resigned from the parish council in a row over speed limits in the village.

In his resignation letter Lord Howard, whose ancestor William d'Aubigny, 1st Earl of Arundel, built the village's 12th Century fortress, said the character of the council had changed as a result of new arrivals.