Richard Gere facing $50,000 court fine

Richard Gere has been told that he faces a fine of up to $50,000 for cutting down some trees.

The Pretty Woman star, who lives in Pound Ridge near New York with his actress wife Carey Lowell, apparently failed to seek the appropriate permission before having 200 trees removed from his estate.

His neighbour is quoted by the New York Post as saying: "This is a town where money isn't an issue. What matters are good manners and caring about the community. People have been supportive of him, but I'm not sure what he was thinking."

Another local said: "The feeling is that he acted a bit precipitously in clearing the trees. People are somewhat disappointed that he didn't follow procedure."

They added: "Rather than seeking the proper channels and permits, he hired someone to cut them down. He's generally a good neighbour. It was out of character."

Gere is reportedly now in negotiations with town officials to replant some of the trees and pay fines for those that he cut down.