Planted fruit trees have been broken in a community-owned field in Newtown.

Open Newtown, who looks after Trehafren Fields, said it was “really disappointed” that vandalism to nature has happened.

Gary Mitchell, project officer at Open Newtown, said it is not the first time plants have been damaged.

“We have seen a number of plants damaged in the past but this one was more malicious. It wasn’t the odd tree, there were a number of stakes ripped out,” he said.

“But lets not make it all doom and gloom. Some of the trees will survive and we will replant some of them.”

Newtown food co-operative Cultivate said: “Volunteers as part of our Where the Severn Smiles project really enjoyed planting these trees and improving the area for everyone to enjoy. But we won’t give up. We will put in new stakes and tree ties and save all the trees we can.”

The damage was reported by a member of the public. Open Newtown is asking people to report any issues to them by visiting their website or phone 01686 610777.