When knights of old went looking for Robin Hood, they knew where to find him. The legendary outlaw has been associated with England's Sherwood Forest for centuries, and one tree in particular has traditionally been cited as his hideout: the Major Oak.

Scientists believe the 1,200-year-old Major Oak, the legendary hideout of Robin Hood, has died after it failed to produce any new leaves this spring,

The RSPB, which manages the woods in Nottinghamshire where the tree stands, said it had been in decline for some years.

The legendary outlaw is believed to have sheltered beneath the tree