A council has stopped planting new daffodils in a play park over fears children might eat them, with members of the community branding the decision ''totally bonkers".
St Blaise Council was accused of cutting down the spring-time plants at Old Roselyon Play Area in St Blazey for health and safety reasons, as they can be toxic if ingested.
However, after pictures were taken by residents of the ripped up flowers, the council denies removing any of the daffodils, according to Cornwall Live.
The local authority has not yet stated whether it has contacted the police over the act of vandalism.
However the town council has confirmed it will no longer plant new daffodil bulbs for the foreseeable future because they are poisonous if people eat them.
Only last month, when Cornwall basked in glorious spring sunshine, the park looked beautiful in yellow and white as the daffodils bloomed. So much so that members of the community even nicknamed that part of the old orchard Daffodil Walk.
Barry West, the chairman of the Roselyon Play Park Committee, said the decision not to have daffodils for what he thought were spurious health and safety reason was utterly "bonkers" and said that in 60 years he has never heard anything so preposterous.
He said: “Are they going to put signs up saying don’t eat the daffodils next? This is totally bonkers.
"There have always been daffs in the park. It used to be an old orchard and there must have been about 1,000 flowers. Now many of them have been cut down or pulled up.
"But for the town council to say they'll never plant daffodils again because they are toxic to children if they eat them is crazy.”
He added: “It was a former orchard and a place where generations of adults and children alike have walked through and enjoyed. Having the daffodils there was always a joy in the spring as it was again this year.
"It is uplifting and good for the mental health and well-being of the community, the elderly, the infirm, families, carers and children who enjoy the splash of colour and fragrance."
He added: "The true beauty of flowers is that they can help us create deep connections, strengthening bonds with nature, family, friends, and the community spaces and people around us.
"All over Cornwall this year has been ablaze with the golden yellow from daffodils that brings warmth and a smile to all that see.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
