A Wiltshire community has been left shocked after 250 newly planted trees were stolen.

The line of trees, including hawthorn and hazel, had been planted over the last few months by Plant for Our Lives volunteers.

People from Urchfont, Chirton and Conock had given up hours of their own time to form the hedgerow that stretches from Conock up onto the Plain.

Volunteers realised yesterday (February 18) that the newly planted trees, plus guards and canes, had been ripped out and stolen.

The trees had been donated by the Woodland Trust.

READ MORE: Recently planted hedgerow ripped out in record time

Caroline Smith, who organised the planting, said: "They've been taken from the top end, right up near the top of Redhorn Hill.

"We thought we'd done really well to complete the planting in such good time so this is really disappointing.

"I'm just hoping they don't come back for more. Apparently similiar things have happened across the country."

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: "We are still investigating this incident and are appealing for witnesses to any suspicious behaviour in the area sometime between February 1 and yesterday (February 18).

"If anyone can help with our enquiries they are asked to contact us on 101 quoting the crime reference number 53210016334."

This story first appeared in the Wiltshire Times.

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