Deeside: Vandals trample newly planted trees at John Summers Clock Tower

Over the weekend, youths were caught on CCTV damaging the saplings - 150 of which had been planted by volunteers over the last couple of months.

As well as trampling and jumping on the saplings, the youths also removed a lot of the plastic covers which protect the bark as the tree grows.

The site is being rejuvenated by the Enbarr Foundation - which is turning the former Shotton Steel site into a community hub. 

More than £600,000 in grants and financial support was secured over the last 12 months to help fund work to open a community hub and cafe, heritage skills and training centre, live events venue and much more.

READ MORE: How a community united to help redevelopment of iconic John Summers Clock Tower

Enbarr Director, Vicki Roskams, said: "I was deeply disappointed when I arrived onsite and reviewed the CCTV footage.

"The volunteers have worked hard over the past few months to create a place of tranquility and peace for everyone and someone's vindictive vandalism has ruined their hard work.

"These people give their time and effort to create something nice for the community and deserve their work to be respected."

The John Summers Clock Tower building.

The matter has been reported to the police, and Vicki is determined to not let the minority ruin it for everyone.

She said: "We are so excited to begin the next chapter and hope even more people will join our revolution; to finally see this much-loved place back in use.

"We have had primary school pupils visiting recently, and loads of Duke of Edinburgh Award volunteers. 

“The foundations have been laid and now it’s time to see bigger steps taken towards our end goal."

They will be back on site this Saturday between 10am and 1pm and volunteers are welcome to go and help rebuild the trees and bushes.

The newly planted trees were trampled on