Trees which were planted by volunteers in Helensburgh have been attacked by vandals.
The Helensburgh Tree Conservation Trust planted 39 pink flowering crab apple trees in Havelock Street two months ago.
Funded by members’ subscriptions, the trees cost £3,000 but now a substantial number have been wrecked, putting at risk part of the dramatic spring blossom display for which the town is well-known.
A spokesperson for the trust said the volunteers were saddened by the news and Police Scotland were investigating.
“We hope everyone will assist by offering any information they can provide,” she added.
“If you hear anyone boasting about how they trashed most of the trees then please do report what you can to the police on 101.”
The trust is one of the three local charities being promoted by Waitrose in Helensburgh this month, so will gain a proportion of £1,000, depending on the number of tokens dropped in that box by shoppers.
These trees were planted, at great trouble and private expense (not with council funding), to replace trees which had been previously vandalised in similar fashion. I wonder what sort of perverted satisfaction these mindless imbeciles get from wrecking their own home town, after others have worked so hard to try and improve their environment.