NEW trees and shrubs planted in a Petersfield lane have been vandalised twice in one weekend.

The decorative plants, including three 12 feet tall trees, were set in beds along Folly Lane at the beginning of November at a cost of around £3,000.

But on November 13, and then again last Saturday night, the new shrubs were ripped up and the trees pushed over. The plants were re-positioned after each attack but district councillor Julie Butler warned that if the plants were damaged they would not be replaced.

“We planted these trees and shrubs in Folly Lane as part of our ongoing work to keep Petersfield a tidy and attractive place to live and work.

“Many of the local residents and businesses had let us know how good it looked and how happy they were. So it is especially sad to see a few individuals vandalising the plants and undermining this work.

“If these plants are damaged beyond repair we can’t afford to replace them. What’s more, when our staff are working to salvage the plants, as they have done on Saturday and Sunday last week, then they are not doing other vital work around town, such as litter picking and emptying bins.”

Mrs Butler added: “People need to realise when they do things like this they are degrading the lives of everyone in the town.”

The beds have been planted with a combination of lavender, hebes, euronymus and lilac, alongside photinia red robin ornamental trees.