VANDALISM to nine young trees at a Worcester park is being investigated.

The London Plane trees, which are spread around the park along the path at the King George Playing Fields, have been snapped in half, with the tops of the trees laid out on the floor.

It is thought the damage to the trees at the park, which is also known as Brickfields Park, was caused on Friday night into Saturday morning, (May 19-20), with rumours a group of youths were involved.

Worcester News reader Angie Fulker took pictures of the trees, which were only planted around five years ago, and said she was "disgusted" that this great green space was being ruined by yobs.

Rainbow Hill district councillor Paul Denham said: "It is very sad.

"We used to get anti-social behaviour at the park - it was a neglected area of the city.

"There was drug taking, youths on motors. Parents would tell their children not to play there.

"It changed when the park improved, with the play area and all weather pitch installed, 10 years ago.

"So I am very sad to see anti social behaviour creeping back in."

A West Mercia Police spokesman said the damage was reported to them, and was being investigated.

"Unfortunately there were no witnesses to say what happened for certain," the spokesman said.

A Worcester City Council spokesman said: "We are very disappointed these trees, planted by volunteers for the benefit of future generations, have been vandalised.

"The trees would have formed part of a beautiful new avenue running for most of the length of the park.

"We are liaising with the police over this incident. We hope to plant replacement trees later in the year.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting 0162S.