Green-fingered thieves have pinched a prized asset from a Paisley park.
Under the cover of darkness, the plant-world ghouls slipped into the Walled Garden at Barshaw.
And they dug up a topiary tree described as “beautiful” some time overnight into today.
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They would have had to march it hundreds of yards across the park to the exit.
It stood at the gateway to the cherished walled garden.
The Friends of Barshaw, who look after the area on a daily basis, have been left stunned.
A spokeswoman said: “We are sad and disappointed this morning to discover that diring the night someone has stolen a beautiful topiary tree from the gateway to the Walled Garden.
“A pair of these trees have flanked the gateway to the Walled Peace Garden for several years.
“They were planted and have been lovingly tended and shaped by our Friends of Barshaw Park volunteers.
“This theft has damaged the garden, hurt our volunteers, and also has a financial cost. All our income to maintain the garden is from donations from visitors who love the garden, and our fundraising efforts.”
Park lover Hannelie Coetzee said: “That’s terrible. I don’t understand what type of person does something like this, especially to a peace garden in times of war.”
And Matthew Smith added: “An utterly selfish act like this is dispiriting, but the garden will continue to be a haven of beauty and peace, thanks to the strength of the volunteers, regardless of this idiot.”
