An actor and a designer are teaming up with campaigners to try and prevent the removal of trees on a five-mile stretch of the Thames.

Campaigners, including Imogen Stubbs and Jasper Conran, are concerned the removal of the trees on the stretch from Putney to Hammersmith could damage wildlife.

But the Port of London Authority (PLA) is concerned roots from hundreds of trees may damage the bank's flood defences.

Wildlife Aid said birds and animals could lose their nesting sites at the start of the breeding season.

The PLA has begun to cut down trees from the area which they fear compromise the bank's protective wall.

A PLA spokesman said: "It's our view that the only course of action is to remove these trees."

Wildlife Aid head vet nurse Sarah Cowan criticised the "drastic course of action".

"It is the beginning of the breeding season for all the birds and mammals that nest in the trees," she said.

"To carry out this work at this time of year is probably quite irresponsible and leaving a lot of the animals without their nesting sites and having to move off."

"It destroys this area completely - it destroys the environment, the bird life, the animal life, the beauty for the millions of people who use it," Ms Stubbs told the BBC.

"And when it's done, it's done - there's no going back on cutting down a tree."

The PLA said it would carry out further consultations before any more work was done to the bank.

A spokesman said: "We are having to remove the trees because they are causing serious damage to the revetment (the manmade stone faced sloping river bank below the towpath) leaving these trees until they cause further damage is simply not an option.

"Without prompt action the revetment will become seriously damaged. Depending on the location, this could lead to the towpath being undermined and unsafe and could also lead to increased flood risk.

"Some of the trees are also a potential hazard to rowers and other small boats - as the authority responsible for safety on the Thames, this is another concern for us.

"It must be emphasised that the vast majority of the mature trees are on the landside of the towpath and will not be removed in this scheme as these do not damage the revetment significantly."

"Tree management work is part of our work to protect the Thames and its surroundings for many different communities. This pilot project seeks to find a balance that keeps river users safe; protects the vital river wall and towpath; and maintains a mix of tree screening and cover."