MINDLESS vandals have destroyed around 40 trees at Newent Lake, chopping them down and pulling out saplings at night.

As well as destroying semi mature tree, the vandals have pulled out young oaks planted by children in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Two saws were discovered in nearby bushes.

Users of the lake first noticed signs of damage four weeks ago, but it has escalated of late.

Fourteen trees were pushed down on a single night and 20 the following weekend.

Freda and Felwyn Harris discovered the saws while walking their dog and handed them into police.

"It's carnage," said Freda.

"They have been cutting through the tree trunks at hip height and then pushing them over until they split.

"They have even ripped up the oaks that have just been planted.

"Presumably because they could not find the saws, they smashed up the fence around the stream and the safety barrier.

"Why would somebody do such a thing?"

Newent councillor David Blick said police had been patrolling the area since a member of the public had spotted two young men pushing down trees.

He said: "The damage has been considerable but until we catch them we don't know what their motivation is.

"They are just leaving the trees where they fall so it can't be about profit."