More than 200 trees damaged in 'upsetting' attack
Northumberland Wildlife TrustTwo vandal attacks at nature reserves have left a wildlife charity's staff and volunteers "deeply upset and angry", it says.
More than 200 newly planted trees were damaged at the Northumberland Wildlife Trust's West Chevington reserve at Druridge Bay, with tree guards smashed and strewn around the site.
The trust said the "scene of devastation" was discovered by volunteers turning up for a planting event at the end of last week.
It comes less than four weeks after information displays were damaged and trees set alight at the charity's St Nicholas Park reserve in Gosforth, Newcastle.
More than 4,500 trees had been planted in multiple sessions at West Chevington to create a hedgerow.
It was part of the Biodiversity Boost project, with the funding from the Species Survival Fund.
Helen Walsh, from the trust, said: "Our volunteers have given up days and days of their free time to plant this hedgerow in wind, rain and even snow.
"Therefore, to see it destroyed in a mindless act of vandalism is absolutely heartbreaking for all of us."
She added: "This project ends in February and replacing this stretch of hedgerow will cost money and it will be a race against [time] to repair it, instead of completing other aspects of the project."
The vandalism has been logged with Northumbria Police.
