IT WAS a touching tribute from a Hampshire village in memory of Princess Diana.

Residents of West End planted a camellia tree to mark the affection felt for the woman dubbed the People’s Princess.

But vandals have sparked fury after they cut down the 11ft tree with a saw before dumping it in a nearby park.

The shameless yobs even left their calling card scrawled over a memorial plaque boasting about of their crime.

According to West End Parish council, the sign read: “Flickman and Grant stole this plant.”

Now police are appealing for information in the hope of finding the two youths spotted dragging the tree through Hatch Grange Gardens, leaving a trail of flowers.

Neville Dickinson, chairman of West End Parish Council, said he was “disgusted with the pointless act of vandalism”.

He said: “Besides being very disappointed that yobs would stoop to something like this, we are upset that people should have this sort of mentality.

If they start at this age what are they going to do later in life?

“We know no reason why someone would have done this. We have spoken to the youth workers and ground staff and they can’t think of anyone. The names that are written on the plaque are not known to us.”

The tree was planted in Fir Tree Memorial Gardens 11 years ago with money from the council following Diana’s death in August 1997. It was cut down on Sunday evening.

Steve Adams, a groundsman for West End Parish Council, said: “I don’t understand what they get out of killing something that has been here for 11 years and doesn’t harm anyone. They were carrying a saw with them so they had intent.”

All three memorial plaques in the garden have now been vandalised, as well as a bench.

● Call police on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.