THE Severnside village of Awre's residents are up in arms after a semi mature tree near the village pub's car park was ringbarked.

The attack on the tree was reported to the parish council by resident Jeff Baker, who reckons the tree will die as a result.

"At about 12 inches from the ground a three-inch strip of bark had been carefully removed from the trunk," he said.

"As far as I know the effects of the damage cannot be reversed. It could not possibly be accidental and would have taken some time to do.

"During the past couple of years trees have been planted in many parts of the village and on approach roads. Young and old who have helped with this work will share my anger."

Village Hall Committee chairman Mark Awre said the act appeared wanton and would not benefit anyone.

"I can't think who might have done it – we don't have gangs of children wandering around here. We did have windows in the telephone box broken a year or so ago but we don't usually have any problems with vandalism."