MINDLESS vandals have destroyed more than 20 newly planted trees during a wrecking spree in Nailsea. Hooligans snapped in half the trees along Queens Road during the early hours of Thursday. The damage was discovered by local residents who woke up to find

MINDLESS vandals have destroyed more than 20 newly planted trees during a wrecking spree in Nailsea.Hooligans snapped in half the trees along Queens Road during the early hours of Thursday.The damage was discovered by local residents who woke up to find the trail of devastation.A total of 160 trees were only planted earlier this year as part of a joint initiative between Nailsea Town Council, North Somerset Council and the University of Trent.As well as being planted in a bid to spruce up the town, the university was to monitor them to see how trees grow in an urban environment.Nailsea Town Council clerk Ian Morrell said: "These trees were thriving and to see them ripped out and so badly damaged is very disheartening."In a number of cases the trees have been bent over so far that they have snapped completely."It must have taken whoever did this a lot of physical effort, it was a serious and sustained vandal attack. All the trees will now have to be dug up and removed."The town council received a number of calls from people on Thursday morning who saw the damage and wanted to report it."Some residents reported hearing noise in the area at 3am on Thursday and it is believed this could be linked to the damage.Nailsea Town Council chairman Councillor Mary Ponsonby condemned the vandals, saying their behaviour was spoiling the town for everyone else's enjoyment.Cllr Ponsonby said: "I am heartbroken - this is just sheer, mindless vandalism and these people's actions are beyond belief."We have worked very hard as a town council to make the town somewhere people can be proud to live."I do not know what possesses people to behave like this and I hope that someone has the courage to help police bring these people to justice."Two men, both believed to be in their early twenties, were spotted at the scene.One was wearing a light coloured shirt and the other a dark coloured shirt.Police are appealing for anyone with information about the vandalism to contact Nailsea police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.