AN “edible hedgerow” has been ripped up by vandals two days after being planted at an Accrington nature reserve.

One hundred and fifty small shrubs including hazel and crab apple were discovered missing or strewn around the local area by a Lancashire Wildlife Trust volunteer on Monday evening, after the group planted them on Saturday and Sunday.

Bosses at the trust said the hedgerow was to encourage wild food to grow in the area, and that they believe missing plants will have been planted in the thieves’ gardens. Replanting of some displaced shrubs has now taken place.

Kim Coverdale, the trust’s senior projects officer for East Lancashire, said: “Volunteers braved the cold, wet and muddy conditions to plant an edible hedgerow that is also good for wildlife. This included hazel and crab apple, which can be used as ‘wild food’.

“After all that hard work it was so disappointing to be told that all the plants had been pulled up within two days.

“It is difficult to create a reserve for the community if some members of the community are only willing to damage it.”

The volunteers meet every Monday and work at Woodnook Vale and The Coppice, improving the woodland habitats and the footpaths.

The programme is run by The Wildlife Trust and Prospects and supported by Lancashire County Council, Hyndburn Borough Council and Baxenden Community Forum.

The matter has been reported to police and an investigation is underway.

For further details on how to help out at trust projects, contact Kim at kcoverdale@lancswt.org.uk.