A PRESTON councillor is urging vandals to help keep his ward green by leaving newly planted trees alone.

More than 50 trees have recently been planted in the Lovat Road near Moor Park.

The trees are planted in special squares between residents' parking bays and are designed to help improve the look of the area.

The latest batch were planted to replace dozens which were snapped, ripped out of the soil or damaged by local teenagers.

But the yobs have started re-enacting Tarzan movies among some of the trees, swinging from them and snapping them in half.

Now Coun Mick Moulding, who represents the Moor Park district on Preston Borough Council, is urging parents to teach children to respect the trees instead of vandalising them.

Coun Moulding said: "The council have done an excellent job in improving our local environment and the trees form an important part of nature in an urban environment.

"Unfortunately, local teenagers who roam the streets would much rather see them snapped in two or vandalised in other ways.

"The parking bays were especially designed so trees could be placed between them. But nothing looks worse than a row of snapped trees."

Coun Moulding fears the planting project will be curtailed in his ward if more trees are vandalised.

He added: "I'm sure these teenagers wouldn't do it if they were taught to appreciate trees - at least I hope they wouldn't.

"All it takes is for parents to tell their children not to do it and I think that would solve the problem.

"This is nature they are interfering with and if it happens again I can see the council deciding that there is no point bothering putting trees up here which would be a great shame for all the residents who appreciate the trees and deplore the actions of the youngsters."

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