A MINDLESS vandal attack on trees in a Middlesbrough beauty spot has been described as 'sickening'.

Over a period of two weeks, newly-planted cherry trees in Linthorpe Cemetery and Nature Reserve have been snapped in half.

A total of 18 of the blossoms were planted in the place of rest but now only six remain as 12 were destroyed in two separate attacks.

The Northern Echo: Some of the trees which were snapped in halfSome of the trees which were snapped in half

Middlesbrough Council's Area Care team were called to deal with the snapped trees.

Councillor Dennis McCabe, Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Environment, said: "This is absolutely sickening and I don't know how anyone can be so low as to desecrate such a place of rest for loved ones.

"Linthorpe Cemetery and Nature Reserve is a place for quiet reflection and where visitors can enjoy the natural environment.

"That someone would just go in and snap down these trees, not once but twice, absolutely beggars belief.

"We absolutely condemn this vandalism in the strongest terms and those responsible should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves."