It was a multi-million pound blockbuster shot on one of Streatham Hill’s more deprived streets.

But it seems the residents of Lydhurst Avenue lost more than just a taste of Hollywood glitz and glamour when the crew for the award-winning film Atonement moved on after filming there in summer 2006.

Several of the trees in the street also left along with stars Keira Knightly and James McAvoy - and were never replaced.

Lambeth Council removed the semi-mature trees to facilitate filming for the crew, but forgot to put them back.

It emerged just last week that for three years residents have had to put up with three stumps in the middle of their pavements as a result.

Resident Christine Reid said: “It was wonderful having the film crews here and really exciting for everyone in the area.

“But when they went things didn’t look quite the same. It took me a while to work out what it was.”

She added: ”There aren’t many trees here so it was a real shame.”

Streatham Hill ward councillor Jeremy Clyne said he was surprised a tree officer should give permission for trees to be cut down.

He said: “If the street scene was not suitable for this film then one is entitled to ask why they didn't chose somewhere else.”

A Lambeth Council spokesman said no action had been taken to replace the trees because the tree officer who allowed the work to go ahead did not inform his colleagues about the agreement, then stopped working for the council.

He left without telling his colleagues about the trees.

The spokesman said: “This meant that the trees were not replaced at the time, but now this has come to light, all the trees will be replaced as soon as possible at the beginning of the next tree planting season, which usually starts in October.”

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