Ref. 28368-36VANDALS have attacked trees planted by pensioner Terry Hayward to spruce up his neighbourhood.

Terry spent £600 of his own money to plant the trees in Greenham Walk, in Park North.

Now the retired aircraft engineer fears five of the seven saplings have been so badly damaged that they will not survive.

Terry, 71, ran into controversy when he planted the trees in July because neighbours complained that he had not asked their permission.

And they were angry because the trees meant children couldn't play football on the green.

After consulting residents, Swindon Council ruled that Terry had to remove all but two of the trees by the end of the year.

He was planning to replant them at the nearby Buckhurst Crescent recreation ground as part of a community project to improve the site.

He said: "I woke up on Tuesday morning to find a scene of devastation.

"I just couldn't believe what had happened.

"The saplings had been twisted and broken in several places, and I will be surprised if they do not die.

"It's sickening, as whoever did this must have known that they were going to be removed fairly soon anyway.

"I just wanted to improve the environment for everyone, and also to stop the children playing football there.

"People here have large gardens where their children can play and there is also a recreation ground nearby."

Terry is now hoping the council will extend the deadline by which the trees have to be removed.

He said: "I want them to let the trees stay until March or April.

"If I remove them now, they will definitely not survive because they are in a such a delicate state.

"There might be a chance if I wait until the spring."

But the council is refusing to alter the deadline. Spokesman Gavin Calthrop said: "In our view Mr Hayward has had plenty of time to act on our decision."

Stephen Hayward, 77, was one of the residents who called for the trees to go.

He said: "He only planted them to stop children playing there.

"I have lived here for 28 years, and kids have always played there.

"They don't cause a nuisance and nowadays parents want their children to play where they can see them."