The newly formed Protect the St Mark’s Elms Positive Action Group is planning a peaceful protest in the hamlet on Sunday lunchtime.

People are being invited to meet at St Mark’s Green at 12.30pm for what is being described as ’a family friendly’ and ’peaceful yet passionate’ protest.

The organisers are asking those that attend to wear high-vis clothing and to bring banners etc if they so wish.

The protest comes after the Manx Wildlife Trust condemned plans which would see 25 elms removed to improve access to Ballavarvane Farm, St Mark’s off the Braaid Road.

Leigh Morris, chief executive officer of MWT, said: ’It’s a long-term environmental feature for the island and that’s why we’re so sad that they’re planning to make such a hole in it.

Mr Morris added: ’Our best guess is that they’re 100 years old and they were actually made registered trees in 1982, so 40 years ago they were clearly significant enough to be given some sort of duty of protection in the island.’

The MWT’s comments triggered calls for a U-turn and an online petition which attracted thousands of supporters. Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture Geoffrey Boot MHK has now asked for a review of the decision to talk through other options which could be considered to help address the access issues.