A row has erupted over one of Richmond's most distinguished trees after builders allegedly suffocated its roots with concrete.

The 200ft London Plane tree on the riverside is considered the largest of its kind in the capital and is described as one of Richmond's three "great trees" by the Trees for Cities charity.

But Richmond resident Phil Davison said he was horrified when he saw that the builders refurbishing a new restaurant - Gaucho - had poured what he believed to be concrete on to the base of the tree.

Mr Davison said: "The tree will eventually die - it's an environmental disaster."

Jo Hurst of Trees for Cities said the charity was concerned and that the tree needs to be "respected and well looked after."

A spokesman for Richmond upon Thames Council said the authority had investigated the tree, which is the subject of a preservation order.

He said: "The base of the tree had been covered with a cement-like material and, although there had been no damage to the base or the roots, this could result in long-term problems.

"Officers from our trees service had another meeting with the site manager today to tell him the cement must be replaced with a more porous material. He has promised to do this and we are confident the matter will now be resolved.

"We will continue to monitor the situation closely."

A workman at the site who refused to be named, said: "It's just people who don't know what they are talking about. It's not cement, its a porous aggregate."

A spokesman for Gaucho said the substance used by contractors at the site was crushed limestone: "Hanan Contractors had spoken to a council officer and he was happy.

"This does not damage the tree in any way. Someone has obviously been misinformed - it looks like concrete but it's not. We haven't done anything wrong."