A tree warden says he was treated like a criminal when a supermarket confiscated photos of trees he took in its car park.

Danny Robb, a volunteer at Warndon Parish Council, Worcester, took photographs of trees close to Tesco in Millwood Drive because of fears they will be cut down if the store's extension is given the go-ahead.

But when the 57-year-old grandad returned to the supermarket to collect the processed pictures, he was told they would be seized and that staff would call the police.

Mr Robb, who was asked by Warndon Parish Council to record all the trees on the estate, said: "The lady at the desk said the only two photographs I could keep were the ones of my dog.

"She said I couldn't have all the snaps because I'd been taking pictures of parked cars, but you couldn't even see the number plates of the cars that were pictured. When I protested, they threatened to call the police."

Mr Robb said staff should have taken him to a private room to

express their concerns in private instead of showing him up in front of other customers.

He added: "There was a long queue and everybody was watching; they must have thought that I was a criminal.

"The staff were rude and arrogant. I just wanted to leave."

Police were not called in the end and Mr Robb eventually persuaded the supervisor to give him some of the pictures back. There are an estimated 100 trees on Tesco car park. They are mostly maple and lime which were planted when the supermarket was built.

Plans indicate that most trees would be removed if building work goes ahead.

Julian Walker-Palin, Tesco corporate affairs manager, said: "A member of the public who referred to himself as a 'self-appointed tree warden' took pictures of the Tesco car park in Warndon without seeking permission.

"These pictures were given to the store to develop and a few were retained as they contained registration plates of private staff vehicles and the staff member understandably was concerned.

"The duty manager explained to the customer the reasons why at the time."

Andrew Philpott, chairman of Warndon Parish Council, confirmed Mr Robb was an official tree wardon and not self appointed.

He said: "He was entitled to photograph the trees. If, on the off chance, the plans are accepted we clearly wanted to have photos of the trees for posterity."

A spokeswoman from Worcestershire Trading Standards said it was not something they would investigate.

Tesco wants to increase the size of the store by 50 per cent, build eight small shops and construct a two-storey car park, subject to planning permission.