PARK users have been warned new trees will not be replaced if vandals strike again.

Oxford City Council has spent more than £3,000 on new golden ash saplings for Hollow Way Recreation Ground in Cowley, Oxford after eight where snapped in half in November last year.

Four saplings were also destroyed in 2008.

This time the council has put up ‘cages’ to protect the new trees.

And city councillor Bob Timbs warned they would not be replaced if they were vandalised again.

The 16 new trees, which line the path through the park, cost £190 each.

Mr Timbs, the council’s executive member for parks, said: “We are delighted the trees have been replanted because they make the park look brilliant.

“We now hope that the mindless vandals who destroyed the previous ones will let them grow for the whole community to enjoy.

“We have recycled these cages from other city parks to save money, and we are using them specifically to stop vandalism.

“This will be the last time we try to plant trees in this park.”

Mr Timbs added: “You will always get people trying to destroy things, which is sad. There’s not much we can do about that.

“Parks which look nice and are welcoming are so important for the community. They are places to walk your dog, take your children or just relax.

“It would be nice if these yobs would show more respect for the people living around here and let them have a nice park to go to.”

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.