Vandals damage new trees

NEWLY planted trees have been snapped by vandals at three locations across North Tyneside.

- KALI LINDSAY

The three groups of trees in Wallsend were planted as part of the council's environmental improvement programme, intended to enhance the environment and support biodiversity.

At Boyd Road, Farringdon Road and Howdon Park, 11, 15 and three trees were planted respectively by North Tyneside Council.

The council was first made aware of the vandalism at Boyd Road, where 10 of the 11 trees have been destroyed, just weeks after being planted.

Initially, five of the trees had been snapped, prompting the council to install strong protective cages around the remaining six in the hope of deterring further vandalism.

But the cages have now been forcibly bent and broken and five of the six protected trees have been damaged beyond saving.