The owners of a County Durham estate have been left upset and angered after a sycamore tree sustained damage in its grounds after a suspected vandalism incident. 

Over the weekend, the Raby estate said that the Sycamore tree, located opposite the Forresters Bar and Restaurant in Middleton in Teesdale, was vandalised.

In a short statement online, the estate said that it was "deeply saddened" by the incident. 

Police are involved in the incident and are investigating the vandalism to the sycamore tree.

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A statement from Raby estate read: "We are deeply saddened by the vandalism caused to the sycamore tree on our land opposite the Forresters Bar and Restaurant in Middleton in Teesdale over the weekend. We take great pride in our estate and our team works incredibly hard to look after the environment.

"We are working with the police on this matter and will continue to assist in whatever way we can."

This incident comes after the Sycamore Gap tree was felled last year - causing more than £600,000 worth of damage - and devastating many people who visit the landmark each year.