COUNCIL workmen have been dubbed the Daff Destroyers, such is people's anger that something beautiful is being senselessly destroyed.

The first report of daffodils being mowed over was late last March in the Witton and Feniscowles areas of Blackburn. Councillors and residents accused the council of vandalism.

Two weeks ago, a 350-yard stretch of daffodils in Haslingden Road, Blackburn, was mown over, prompting the claim that the council had prevented spring arriving on the borough's verges for the second year running.

Earlier this week, a woman stood in front of a mower ploughing through several daffodils at Mayfield flats, Darwen, and said "You're not going any further". This prompted the workman to turn around and go -- although council officers said there had been a misunderstanding and they never intended to mow any daffodils.

But this has still prompted angry calls from residents, councillors and an MP for the council to end this policy and leave the borough's verges alone while the daffodils are in bloom.

Ribble Valley MP and Welshman Nigel Evans, whose national flower is the daffodil, said: "We have had one of the most rotten winters and daffodils are one of the first signs that spring is on its way for a lot of people.

"They are nature's beauty shining through, but the council seem to think they know better. The council should instruct its employees to preserve the daffodils and explain the difference between a flower and a weed."

And Coun Paul Browne, the Liberal Democrat leader on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Who could possibly have made such a policy? I can't think of a committee anywhere who would have done that."

Coun Michael Law-Riding, the Conservative deputy leader on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Other people should stand defiant and have their say to tell them to stop. Why destroy something that's beautiful?"

Jack Holt, 71, of Haslingden Road, had complained to the council last year that the verges outside his home looked untidy.

He said this was because the dead daffodils had been left for months as the grass around them grew several feet high.

"We only wanted the grass cutting as soon as they daffodils had died," he said. "When they are in bloom it makes the area look a lot better, but we won't see that this year now."

Mayfield flats resident Jane Harrison said: "We will not let them continue as everyone is against this. I cannot understand why they would want to do it. We love our daffodils and they look good on show, and are an attraction for our flats."

Another resident, Sydney Kennedy, said: "I told the workman he would be destroying something of beauty. If they come back again I will go outside again to try and stop them. The daffodils are only here for a short while every year."