An investigation is under way after thieves stole more than 100 trees from a couple’s back garden in an overnight raid.

Peter Vine, 57, and his wife Julie, 52, awoke yesterday morning to find 127 trees had been taken from the garden of their home in Gravesend Road, Wrotham.

They had all been planted in an attempt to insulate the couple’s home from the noise of traffic, and Mr Vine is baffled as to why someone would steal them.

“To do a theft like that on a main road is just bizarre,” he said.

“We are right on the border of the A227 and I just cannot believe it – for someone to take 127 trees takes time.

“You’ve got to pull them out, load them onto the back of something, and I have to ask what is the point of doing something like that.

“At three foot high they cost me about £1,300, and they were planted in May, so they’ve been there for some time.”

Neighbours reported hearing people talking outside at around 2.30am, but Mr Vine has no idea who could be responsible for the theft.

A police spokesman said: “Inquiries into this are ongoing.”