Residents distraught after trees destroyed

TRAIL OF WRECKAGE LEFT BEHIND AFTER TRAVELLERS SET UP CAMP IN PARK

- NICK HORNER

Some of the trees which have been chopped down in Perry Park

LOCALS were left fuming after a trail of wreckage was caused by travellers who set up camp in a Birmingham park and destroyed more than 20 trees planted after the Commonwealth Games.

The group descended on the Commonwealth Games coach park, which has been transformed into a children's play area, at Perry Park in Perry Barr at the end of last month.

As well as leaving rubbish, including soiled nappies, the group were also alleged to have destroyed 23 new trees, planted as part of the park's reinstatement following the Games.

Friends of Perry Park chairman, James Hinton, witnessed people with 'proper tree surgery equipment' destroying the trees, intended to screen the hard-surfaced area from surrounding homes.

James told the Mail it was the latest in a catalogue of incursions onto the park and coach park area and it had become known by traveller groups as an easy target.

He said: "The travellers had been here for at least a week. They left on Sunday, December 7 evening as they had to leave by Monday morning.