Actor Brian Blessed believes another sapling could be planted near to the felled Sycamore Gap tree to give the stump some “company”.

The veteran star of stage and screen said it was “beyond comprehension” that the landmark tree could be deliberately cut down.

Blessed, a former president of the Council for National Parks, was speaking on today’s (Sunday, October 1) Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, on BBC One.

He played the part of Lord Locksley in the 1991 American film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, which featured shots of the famous sycamore on Hadrian’s Wall, in the Northumberland National Park.

Hexham Courant:

Blessed said he believed the felled tree was not dead and hoped something could grow in its place.

He forecast: “It will survive and it will be very bushy.

“You know, give it company and plant another tree, a good 200 yards or 300 yards to keep it company.

“It will talk to it, it will help it."

Hexham Courant: Actor Brian Blessed, former president of the Council for National Parks, hopes the felled Sycamore

He said he was "heartbroken" when he discovered the “deeply honoured tree” had been felled, which he described as, “a wonderful sycamore.”

“They're wonderful, with their big leaves and someone has cut it down.

“People have gone there and it brought joy to them.

“People have left their ashes there when they've died, they've got married there, and all kinds of lovely events have taken place."

The National Trust which maintains the site with Northumberland National Park authority, said it was considering plans for the site and the felled tree.

Trust general manager Andrew Poad has described the surviving stump as "healthy" and said it may be possible for new shoots to grow from the trunk's base.

A sycamore sapling stands near to the tree, which is protected from sheep in the area by a circular wall.

The National Trust has asked people not to visit the site while an assessment is made of the felled tree and to allow seeds and clippings to be taken.

Northumbria Police said a 60-year-old man arrested on Friday in connection with the felling of the tree remains in custody helping inquiries.

A 16-year-old male arrested on Thursday has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

An offer of a reward of a bar tab of up to £2,000 at the nearby Twice Brewed pub, by general manager Steve Blair, backed by other local businesses, has been put up for anyone providing information leading to the capture and prosecution of, “anyone who had anything to do with it” (the felling).