If a tree falls into South Norwood Lake, does it make a sound?

Your Local Guardian:

According to dog walker Peter Leathem, the answer is definitely yes.

The taxi driver, 60, was walking his Catalan sheepdog Maggie around the lake at about 7.15am this morning when their calm stroll was suddenly disturbed.

He said: "It's unbelievable. I take my dog out early in the morning - I'm walking and I heard this massive crack, and then the tree fell over.

"It must have been loosened yesterday, it wasn't windy this morning. It looked like quite a healthy tree. It probably died from the inside."

In pictures provided by Mr Leathem, a number of birdhouses can be seen attached to the side of the felled tree.

Your Local Guardian:

It was a blustery day in Croydon yesterday, with gale speeds reaching up to 40mph, according to the Met Office.

A spokeswoman said: "Gale force gusts definitely occurred in that area, so that could be enough [to loosen a tree]."

The tree fell into the lake on its north side, near the park entrance, Mr Leatham said.

He added: "They will have to sort it out, it's so big. They have got one or two trees in the lake that looks nice, but this is too big - it's massive."

But Mr Leathem, who lives in South Norwood Hill, said Maggie, 3, was less impressed by the unexpected display of nature's destructive caprice.

He said: "My dog is more interested in squirrels and foxes."

Your Local Guardian:

Maggie, Mr Leathem's three year-old Catalan sheepdog