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An eco-warrior has made his home in an apple tree to prevent developers chopping it down. Rowan Burrough has spent most of the past week in the 150-year-old tree, in the heart of Cider With Rosie country in Gloucestershire. His efforts have drawn comparisons with those of Swampy � real name Daniel Hooper � the campaigner who hit the headlines in 1996 when he dug tunnels under the proposed routes of major road projects. He has garnered overwhelming support from residents, who have been bringing him soup, sandwiches and water. But the protest was almost ended yesterday when the 44-year-old climbed down at 3am to try to sneak a few hours� sleep in a bed. By 5am contractors had moved in and begun lopping the 20ft tree. Mr Burrough raced back, evaded police and scaled the tree again, joined by a second protester, Matthew Sell, 39. They want to protect the tree � and a thriving colony of badgers beneath it.