Thieves have stolen plants from an Oxford community garden just one week after the three-year project was completed.

The site of the community garden at the corner of Howard Street and Catherine Street

Under the cover of night, thieves carefully dug up the plants, including French lavender, honeysuckle, a rose bush and various herbs, worth nearly £400, from the Howard Street Community Garden.

The site had been transformed from waste ground into an smart community area at a cost of £19,000.

The theft, on Monday night, has been described as a "kick in the teeth" by residents.

Marian Pocock, who leads the garden project, said: "We're all at a pretty low ebb and feel really let down.

"Last Sunday a big group of people turned up in the pouring rain to help and watch the flowers being planted. It was a wonderful moment and we were able to see the fruits of a couple of years' labour.

"I reckon it was someone who knew what they were doing. It was not just people mucking about.

"The plants will probably appear at a car boot sale next weekend."

The area at the corner of Catherine Street and Howard Street was littered with rubbish until residents got so fed up that they began a campaign to smarten it up and set about raising money for the work. A silver birch tree forms the centrepiece of the garden, which is decorated with mosaic tiles made by local children.

The idea was first proposed after a millennium street party, but the real work started two years ago when the site was cleared of debris.

The land is owned by Oxford City Council and half of the cost of the project was funded by a grant from its east area committee to employ landscape gardeners.

Residents also chipped in by helping to draw up plans and organise gardening workshops, while local businesses gave materials.

But the garden's supporters said the setback would not delay a mosaic workshop, which is planned for Saturday, May 8, or the garden's official opening on Saturday, June 19.

Bill Baker, the city council's deputy leader and member of the east area committee, said: "We try to make people's environment a bit better and this is the way some people repay us. At the end of the day plants are available from garden centres and are not that expensive - it just depresses me the way society is going today."

East Oxford beat officer Pc Chris Griffin said: "I have received reports of theft from the community garden in Catherine Street and an investigation is under way."

Anyone with information about the theft should call Oxford police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.