This is the amazing moment a fearless pensioner stood on a narrow branch while cutting down a giant 200-year-old tree without wearing any safety equipment.

The 65-year-old lumberjack was hired to tackle the 100ft tall rubber tree which had started to decay, leading to fears it could topple over crushing nearby buildings in Sukothai province, Thailand.

Footage shows how he clambered up the thick trunk before balancing on a narrow branch while hacking through the tree with a chainsaw.

He had a safety harness and helmet but ditched the protective gear because it was 'restrictive' - choosing instead to use his free hand to hold a rope or the tree's flimsy branches for support.

With the largest branches chopped away, he scurried back down the bare trunk to set about chopping it down from the bottom.

The tree eventually came crashing down and narrowly missed a Buddhist shrine before hitting the ground with a loud thud.

Village council chief Somsak Phangthong said: 'We hired this woodcutter because of his experience. He's known as the best in the province.

'We told him to get the tree down and make sure the shrine was safe, which he did, so we're pleased. 'I didn't pay much attention to how he was doing his job as that's his choice. He said he didn't like too many ropes because it restricts him, so it's fine, it's up to him.'