MINDLESS vandals in Newent have damaged up to 50 trees in the past month.

Residents have reported that tree branches have been snapped and left at the scene and a bench has been pulled out of the ground at Newent Lake, the Paddock area and the Arboretum.

Deidre Morley, town clerk, said: "This appears to be mindless and indiscriminate vandalism.

"One of the trees damaged was planted in memory of someone's loved one so it is particularly thoughtless.

"We just want to appeal to parents to be on the alert, speak to their children and report any information to us."