AN ENVIRONMENTAL charity has condemned the actions of vandals who threaten to wreck years' of hard work to create a community forest.

Workers at the Acorn Trust spoke out following a spate of arson attacks and vandalism at the Caribee Community Woodland in Delves Lane, Consett.

Acorn Trust project manager Kath Ivens said: "It is very disheartening to see all this damage being done - specially after all the hard work we have done with residents, many of whom have voluntarily given their time and effort.

"We would appeal to the culprits to stop it. They are ruining years of hard work."

The Acorn Trust has for many years worked with local business Thomas Swan and Co, and the community, to look after the wood, including replanting trees and improving footpaths.

The woodland has a small stream running through it, which leaves the wood through a culvert under the road.

Two years ago environmental trainees working with Anchor Training built a drystone wall at the edge of woodland to keep out livestock and improve the appearance of the entrance. Last week the culvert was deliberately damaged and a farmer caught young boys trying to block the culvert with stones from the wall. He made them replace the stones, but later that same day the wall was again damaged and the culvert blocked.

Acorn Action Team, Acorn Trust's volunteers, repaired the wall, removing all traces of the damage.

Another problem, especially during the summer, has been arson attacks.

Volunteers and local school children have recently planted part of the wood with young trees. But this area has been repeatedly set alight, with many gorse bushes and young conifers being targeted.

Ms Ivens said: "This behaviour has caused considerable damage and is a hazard to wildlife and other people enjoying the wood.

"Most of the trees were only planted five years ago and are still quite young.

"But when they are killed it means five years' work wasted.