Vandals are believed to have hacked down the world famous Sycamore Gap tree which featured in the blockbuster movie 'Robin Hood Prince of Thieves'.

The 70ft tall tree, which stood tall next to Hadrian's Wall near Crag Lough in Northumberland, was cut down overnight.

Residents living nearby expressed their "outrage" at the felling of the tree which is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the UK."

The tree famously featured in the 1991 movie ‘Robin Hood Prince of Thieves’ starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman.

Farmer Katie Smith, 25, said she spotted the tree on its side as she passed it on her way to work on Thursday (28/9) morning.

She said: "I drive passed the tree twice a day and I always look up at it but today I just saw it was gone."

"Pictures taken of it look like someone has deliberately sawed it down."

"It’s an absolute tragedy. No one can believe it has been cut down."

"There was a storm last night but it’s withstood worse. There is no way this is not vandalism. People around here are shocked."

Andrew Benton, 45, added: "I'm outraged that someone has done this to such a beautiful tree. What the hell is the world coming to?"

The tree, which has inspired its own beer in the nearby Twice Brewed Inn, is one of the most photographed in the UK.

A Northumberland National Park Authority spokesperson said: "We can confirm that sadly, the famous tree at Sycamore Gap has come down over night. "

"We have reason to believe it has been deliberately felled."

"It is not clear currently whether the tree is a victim of Storm Agnes or it is a deliberate act - though pictures indicate a clean and straight cut."

"The location was once a popular photographic subject, and it was described as one of the most photographed trees in the country."

"We are working with the relevant agencies and partners with an interest in this iconic North East landmark and will issue more details once they are known."

"Sycamore Gap was voted English Tree of the Year in 2016 in the Woodland Trust's awards and is much-loved by people from across the world."

"Northumberland National Park Authority would like to ask the public not to visit the site at this time whilst we work with our partners to identify what has happened and to make the site safe."

Northumbria Police are probing the incident.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, the force said: "We’ve launched a full investigation following damage to the Sycamore Gap Tree in #Northumberland."

"Officers are carrying out a range of enquiries to establish whether criminal offences have been committed."