A "mini revolution" is being threatened by residents of a genteel coastal town in north-west England over two 25-foot plastic palm trees.

The trees - worth £5,000 each and with fibre optic lights inside them - have been rejected by people in St Annes as "tacky" and "brash".

Councillors in the town, just down the coast from Blackpool, have been angered by the fact they were not consulted before the trees were "planted".

The move is the latest in a series of new developments, which residents argue are not in keeping with the town's image.

People of St Annes are known to sit tight, but before you know where you are you've got a protest march going on

Councillor Colin Walton

Just two weeks ago up to 300 people turned up to a public meeting to registers their anger about the changes.

Colin Walton, councillor for St Annes North, said residents felt the trees would be perfect for nearby Blackpool.

He told BBC News Online: "There is something of a mini-revolution going on in town over things like this.

"Other areas of concern include the alterations in the town's Ashton Gardens, and also Safeway's plans in the centre of the town."

People feel the palms are perfect for Blackpool

He explained residents, and increasingly councillors, are frustrated by government legislation changes that mean council officers can make more decisions without carrying out consultation.

Mr Walton said: "It's decisions like this that are not being reported back to councillors who are much more in touch with the people of the town.

"The people of St Annes are known to sit tight, but before you know where you are you've got a protest march going on."

The trees were "planted" by the St Annes Development Partnership, and have come as part of a major plan to redevelop the town's Promenade Gardens.

'Getting restless'

Ken Lee, chief executive of the borough council, explained decisions like that behind the trees, were not referred to councillors because they are not strategic policy issues.

He said the trees were part of the plan to "increase visitor facilities, increase the tourism season, develop marketing opportunities and explore tourism potential" in the town.

Fred Moor, retired director of leisure and tourism on Fylde council, said more notice needed to be taken of residents' views.

He said: "The public meeting shows that there's rising concern in the town and people are getting restless."