Anger as flowers are killed by weed spray

HAN ANGRY group of neighbours have complained of over-zealous weed control after a wall of wild flowers in their area suddenly died.

- By VICTORIA SHIPP [e-mail] @VickyShipp

The small area of Cotmandene, in Dorking, is known for its natural beauty, but locals have been left shocked and angry by the destruction. One resident, who wanted to remain anonymous said: “We are very proud of our flowers.

“Cotmandene is actually in a conservation area of Dorking. Lots of people that know Dorking have never been here.

“The old buildings of Cotmandene have big high walls because they used to be part of the Deepdene Estate. So there's very old walls lining lots of the areas around here.

“At the base of each of those walls, where the Tarmac meets the brick, there’s generally a little tiny gap, small enough for seeds to get in.

“There have been lots and lots of hollyhocks for the whole time I have been here. They have been lining the walls all the way around, particularly down the entry road up onto Cotmandene.”

The resident was shocked to discover around three weeks ago that the flowers were dead.