THE MIGHTY Marton Oak could soon get legal protection if conservationists have their way.

The tree, which was growing before the Battle of Hastings, is among a number of ancient trees nature watchdogs say require greater legal protection.

It isn't just historic buildings which can be protected against developers and the Woodland Trust has launched a campaign to have thousands of ancient trees listed so they cannot be cut down or vandalised.

The Marton oak is covered by a tree protection order, but the Woodland Trust wants it listed to give it greater protection.

A Trust spokesman said: "Developers are given a small fine and a slap on the wrist if they break a tree protection order. If they are working on a multi-million pound development, it is no deterrent at all."

"Some 1960s concrete office blocks are made listed buildings but the same status is not offered to ancient trees like the Marton oak."

When the oak was just an acorn and starting to grow, King Offa, famous for his Dyke, was the ruler of Anglo-Saxon Mercia, which covered the area including Marton, and 1,244 years later the mighty tree was chosen to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of another monarch - Queen Elizabeth II.

The oak is thought to have the thickest trunk in England, which is split into four parts.

It is a treasured landmark in the Cheshire countryside, has attracted tourists for generations and was one of 50 in the country selected to mark the Queen's Jubilee.

Britain's Tree Council officially declared the oak "a Great British Tree".

At the time villager Shirley Broughton said: "It has certainly put Marton on the map. We are very proud of it."

In October 2002 villagers and VIPs turned out to celebrate the life of Marton's monster and the vicar Rev Paul Moulton blessed the oak before it had a plaque nailed into its roots.

The village of Marton - population of 240 - is also a former winner of the Cheshire Best Kept Village/Civic Pride competition for villages with a population under 400.

Acorns from the oak have been offered for sale at £1 each to raise money towards the upkeep of the half-timbered medieval parish church, reputed to be the oldest of its kind in the world still in regular use.

Villagers who have raised saplings in their gardens from the tree, welcomed the news of its planned status.

The oldest tree in Britain is thought to be a yew beside Ashbrittle church, Somerset, at more than 3,800 years.