AN ATTEMPT to make the centre of Tidworth more attractive by planting decorative willow trees along the River Bourne has been thwarted by vandals who snapped off five trees just a few hours after planting.

The 10 feet tall trees, planted by contractors on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, were worth £40 each and included special anti-vandal stake supports to help increase their chances of thriving.

Unfortunately the snapped trees will now have to be dug up and replaced as the broken trees will not grow properly - they are a special grafted stock.

The MoD hoped that the trees would not only increase the area's attractiveness but help to muffle traffic noise as the river runs alongside the busy A338 Pennings Road.

For the full story see Friday's Andover Advertiser.