A PRIMARY school has been criticised for continuing to obscure a landmark listed building with overgrown trees - despite being asked to cut them back nearly SIX months ago.

The old school master's house at Wanstead Church School has been one of the High Street's most prominent buildings since it was first constructed in the mid-19th Century.

But critics claim the Grade II listed structure has now been almost completely hidden by a row of fir trees which boarder the school site - blanking it out from the area's distinctive street scene.

Tom Howl, of Mansfield Road, Wanstead, first wrote to the school calling on it to trim back the trees six months ago - but said he is still waiting for action to be taken.

He said: "Three months ago I wrote again to the headmaster asking when something would be done but was told these things take time.

"I was chairman of governors of another school and although things might be slow six months is too long.

"The fir trees are now so high we cannot see the school master’s house any more."

Mr Howl, a former Wanstead Ward councillor, said he was told by the school's headmaster at the time the firs were planted that they were there to block traffic fumes from the High Street.

But the 66-year-old said they are now too tall to perform this task effectively.

He said: "The higher they have grown the more sparse they have become at the bottom, whereas if they were cut to say 5ft 6ins they would bush out at the bottom and make a nice hedge with a view of the house and do what they were supposed to do to keep the fumes out."

"Come on Wanstead Church School let's see the High Street improved - cut the fir trees down.

"You have had six months, don't let it be another six months before you get around to it."

These views were backed by Joan Kelly of Wellington Road.

She said: "It's a shame you can't see it properly because it's a nice looking building.

"It wouldn't take much trim those trees back a bit."

Rev Robert Springett, of Christ Church Wanstead - which helps run the school - said: "The trees were supposed to be trimmed back during the half term holiday but the contractor could not get access so it had to be delayed.

"They will now be trimmed back on December 21."