Monty Python star Terry Jones has spoken of his relief as controversial plans to fell a row of trees in Highgate were postponed.

The last minute reprieve came after the comedy legend issued an eleventh hour appeal to Fitzroy Park allotment holders to call off the tree surgeons who had planned to cut down several mature sycamores last Thursday (23).

Allotment holders defended their plans to axe the trees and replace them with a fruit bush and trees, however, insisting that sought after gardening land will be lost unless the changes are made.

Terry Jones, whose house overlooks the site, said: “I am very relieved. It shows what can be done with people power.”

Mr Jones said he was hopeful a compromise could be reached with allotment holders.

Hitting out at critics, Deborah Schneebeli Morrell, co chair of Fitzroy Park Allotment Association, said: “We are unhappy hat our motives have been misrepresented.

“The needs and concerns of the plot holders have been dismissed and we have been characterised as people who want to cut trees down. We are growers we understand about the natural world.”

Funding for the project has been held a year.