A group of trees thought to be up to 1,000 years old have been put under the spotlight by a leading expert.
Conservationists persuaded Professor Donald Pigott to examine the trees in the hope of pinpointing their age.
Martin Allen, a project worker at Middlesbrough's Wildflower Ark project, led the calls for the professor to come to see the trees discovered in Kilton Valley.
The small-leaved lime trees were found earlier this year in the valley near Skinningrove, as reported in January.
Mr Allen and countryside officers from Redcar and Cleveland Council believe they could date back to medieval times.
They are now pinning their hopes on Prof Pigott being able to put a definitive age on the trees.
Mr Allen said: "This will highlight the trees to local people and let them know they have something special.
"It will also help protect the trees for the future."
The trees are thought to be at least 600 years old and have survived due to coppicing - cutting back - which enabled them to spring multiple stems over the centuries.
Once he completed his examination of the magnificent limes, Prof Pigott was expected to offer his advice on how best to preserve them.
