VANDALS have destroyed a row of young trees in Oxford – for the second time in as many years.

The golden ash saplings, which cost the taxpayer more than £1,500, were planted in Cowley’s Hollow Way Recreation Ground in April this year to line the main path.

But all eight have been snapped in half and last night Oxford City Council said there was no more money in the budget to replace them.

Each tree cost £190 and last year four were destroyed by yobs in the same place.

Bob Timbs, the city council’s executive board member for parks, branded the vandals “mindless yobs”.

He said: “The community and taxpayer loses out here. There is no more money left to replace them because questions would be asked of us if we did it for a third time.

“This type of vandalism is so pointless and unnecessary. They are mindless yobs.

“We’re trying to make the park look nice for everybody and it just gets destroyed.

“They cost a lot of money, which has essentially been poured down the drain. The saplings were beginning to grow and looked amazing this summer.

“Now we will never see them in all their glory, which is such a shame.”

Originally from France, golden ash trees are robust and grow quickly.

They can reach heights of 15m (50ft), and their leaves are renowned for the various shades of yellow and brown they turn during autumn.

Gus Bianchini, chairman of the Horspath Area Residents and Tenants Association, said the community was angry.

He said: “It is a real loss to everybody who lives around here, and for what? These vandals have achieved nothing.

“We are trying to make that park a nice place for everybody to use and spend time in, but we keep coming up against hurdles like this.

“We are now going to have to win the council’s trust back before it spends any more money on the park.

“You understand why it would now be reluctant. These trees could have looked beautiful in the future but we have now lost that opportunity.”

Trish Stevens, of Horspath Road, is also a member of the residents’ group.

She said: “I think this vandalism is such a waste. They were already looking so pretty. The people who did this obviously have nothing better to do with their time. I hope they have some sort of conscience and realise how much they have upset everybody around here.”

Thames Valley Police were unable to confirm if they were investigating the incident.

dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk