Workers are preparing to cut down half a dozen trees which form part of the famous ‘Dark Hedges’ in County Antrim.

The tunnel of trees near Armoy shot to fame all around the world after it was featured in the hit HBO drama ‘Game of Thrones’.

In the years since, it has brought thousands of tourists to the area, with several tours operating out of both Dublin and Belfast.

Originally there were around 150 trees over the road; however, over the years, many of them were felled due to age or damage from storms.

There are 86 still standing; however, six more are to be removed.

It comes after Stormont’s Department for Infrastructure, which has responsibility for roads, decided that 11 of the remaining trees could “pose a potential risk to the public”.

It said six had to be removed as a matter of urgency and today, teams are on-site to carry out the works.

As a result, the road is closed to visitors this morning.

The work was originally meant to be carried out by the Department for Infrastructure; however, it is now being conducted by contractors appointed by The Dark Hedges Preservation Society.

With reporting from James Gould in County Antrim.