SWAYING gently in the breeze, nodding their golden heads, caressed by the strong sunshine, the sight of fresh daffodils gladdens the heart at this time of the year.

As one of the first flowers of the year, the appearance of daffs is a reliable pointer to better weather.

Surely no one could object to their appearance? No one, it seems, except someone in Guisborough, east Cleveland.

Normally at this time of year they form a resplendent backdrop to the wide tree-lined streets of the busy market town at the foot of the slopes of the northern Cleveland Hills. The town is noted for its wide tree-lined main street with cobbles, the market cross and the 15th Century church. In the centre of the town sit the remains of the 13th Century Gisborough Priory.

But now the town is noted for something more sinister.

A saboteur or saboteurs are carefully cutting the heads off daffodils with scissors before displaying them in an elaborate pattern on people's lawns.

The problem began three weeks ago and is now widespread across the town with attacks occurring every few days.

Detectives looking for the culprits admitted they are baffled by the apparently motiveless attacks.

One resident, who asked not to be named, is so angry about the vandalism he has installed security cameras at his house to try to catch the culprit.

He said: "We have spent £200 on having spotlights and CCTV fitted.

"It's very frightening to know you have prowlers wondering around in front of your bedroom window in the middle of the night.

"We aren't sleeping as well as we used to."

His garden has been targeted three times.

He claims he counted 590 daffodil heads on his lawn on the second occasion, which had been placed in an intricate criss-cross pattern.

"A lot of care had gone into the display," he said.

"The daffodils had not been trampled on. These vandals are not in a hurry, which makes me doubt whether it's drunks on the way back from the pub.

"We've worked out they operate between 1am and 5am and they must be fairly quiet because our bedroom window is right next to the garden."

Another believes it could be the work of anti-war protestors who are using the head of each daffodil to symbolise each person who has died in the Iraqi war.

Several of the victims are elderly women living on their own who now feel very afraid.

"I hope the publicity this is receiving will not make the person, or people, who are responsible proud of what they've done," said one resident.

PC Paul Lawrence, Cleveland Police wildlife officer for the Langbaurgh District, said: "Damage is caused to daffodils in Guisborough every year, but this is the first year I've heard of the flower heads being cut so carefully with scissors or a knife and displayed in some sort of pattern.

"I've seen the damage done recently to gardens on my way to and from work.

"I put it down to sheer vandalism. It's most likely youngsters or maybe teenagers coming home drunk from a pub or a club.

"I expect they don't realise they could be prosecuted for their actions."

He said Guisborough police were aware of what was going on and that officers were taking reports from residents seriously