VANDALS have destroyed trees in St Mary's Park in Prestwich which were planted only months ago by local primary school pupils.

Year 6 students at Park View planted 10 young trees last November during a Re-leaf project to mark National Tree Week.

But their work went to ruin this week when eight of the trees were destroyed, snapped off five feet above the ground despite protective metal cages.

Park ranger Ian Rogers said: "It's especially disappointing for the Park View pupils as we were just about to put up a plaque to mark what they had done. It's the worst vandalism I've seen in the park over the last year."

He said it was not known whether the culprits were teenagers, but it was possible they could turn out to know the pupils who planted them in the first place, and whose hard graft they had destroyed.

Councillor Vic D'Albert, chairman of Prestwich area board, said he was appalled by the incident.

"The shame is that some of these vandals will be Prestwich residents. The trees were planted to enhance their town and improve it for everybody, including them."

Coun D'Albert said he was sure the area board would support the setting up of a "parkwatch" scheme.

"The essential thing is that the investment that's gone into the park needs to be secure, so bringing people in to watch over the park should be welcomed."

He said it was too early to say whether the trees would be replanted: If they were, it would be wasting money which could have paid for something else.