Residents have hit out against the 'senseless vandalism' of trees in their village.

Lowestoft Journal: The trees before they were vandalised at Marram Green, in Kessingland.The trees before they were vandalised at Marram Green, in Kessingland. (Image: Archant)

Kessingland Parish Council has undertaken a programme of tree and shrub planting since 2012 in areas where it was thought necessary to provide a natural barrier between two areas of land.

The Woodland Trust sent 200 young bushes and trees to the village in 2012 to coincide with the Jubilee, with a number of Jubilee Oaks included in the donation of trees and bushes.

They were planted in High Street, Francis Road community playing field, Marram Green, Marsh Lane and Coopers Lane.

But of those 200 trees only 70 survived, with 130 either pulled out of the ground or vandalised.

So in the autumn last year, the parish council planted another 300 trees and shrubs to replace those that had been lost or damaged before, as well as plant in new areas around the playing field and Marram Green.

Yet of those only 80 survived, with 220 were pulled out of the ground or vandalised.

Liam Martin, chairman of Kessingland Parish Council, described it as 'senseless vandalism'.

He said: 'The trees were out up in areas like the playing field to screen off the area and make them a little bit more interesting.

'We're now trying to get the message out there to see if anybody knows who's been doing it.'

A spokesman for Suffolk Constabulary said: 'Police would ask anyone with information about any incident of criminal damage, or anyone who knows who is responsible for pulling up the trees, to contact Lowestoft Safer Neighbourhood Team officers on 101.

'If you see any suspicious activity and suspect a crime may be in progress please call police immediately using 999.'

Have you got a Kessingland story? Write, giving your full contact details, to: Journal Postbox, 147 London Road North, Lowestoft NR32 1NB or email andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk