A COUPLE has been left devastated after more than £3,000 worth of their plants were annihilated by vandals.

Mike and Judith Collins arrived at their family business, The Golden Acre Nurseries, in Marske, on Monday morning to discover that 75 per cent of their stock of bedding plants was ruined.

The plants, contained within a large tunnel, had been sprayed with a salt-based weedkiller, which had also contaminated plants that had been placed outside for hardening off, causing them to die later. Mrs Collins said: "To begin with, we didn't realise what had happened. I think someone has seen the quality of plants that we do and great customers we have and has been jealous. They are going to cost a fortune to replace."

Since they started the business three years ago, the Collinses have built it up to achieve some success. But Mrs Collins said they cannot afford to lose so much of their stock. "This is our main season and it keeps us going for the winter months," she said. "It's pretty horrendous that this has happened."

PC Wilkinson, of Saltburn police, said: "This was a deliberate and nasty attempt to cause as much disruption as possible to a small business. We urge anyone who saw anything to come forward and help us trace those responsible for this despicable crime."

PC Wilkinson can be contacted on (01642) 301843.

Updated: 13.35 Wednesday, May 23