Heritage trees that have been enjoyed by the public for years, are coming under sustained attack by a mystery arsonist in Co Down.
The trees, some of them around 100 years old, have been targeted with fires set at their base in Castle Park at Bangor Town Hall.
The vandalism has left at least seven trees unstable and dying after arson attacks across seven months.
Aileen McClenaghan photographed the damage which she says she started noticing last August.
She said: “It’s such a shame to see this damage to lovely old trees and it is completely senseless. I started noticing the damage when I started walking my dog there around August.
“I’ve never seen any other major vandalism in the area or seen anyone in the area apart from other dog walkers. These trees are in an area behind the walled garden at Bangor Castle and not in view of the general public walking past the park.”
Ards and North Down Council which owns the land, has established a wildflower landscape in Castle Park in a bid to increase biodiversity for the benefit of wildlife and the public.
Alex Easton MLA said: "I am totally dismayed to hear of the damage done to the trees in CASTLE Park some of these trees are hundreds of year sold and it is truly horrific to hear that someone has deliberately started a fire and caused such carnage.
"The people of Bangor will be truly devastated and shocked at this appalling act of devastation and vandalism, and I call on anyone with information to pass this onto either the Council or PSNI.
