Mindless vandals who stripped a tree of its bark and carved into its trunk have led to its early removal.

Tovil parish councillor Angela Sinclair discovered the vandalism to an Indian bean tree in South Park, Maidstone, last Wednesday.

The 63-year-old said: "I volunteer at a nature reserve so stuff like this is a slap in the face.

"I've sent photos to Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) as well to report damage."

A spokesman for the authority said: "Maidstone Borough Council is sad to confirm that due to the damage that has been inflicted upon the tree in South Park, we have little choice but to remove it prior to its premature death.

"If you witness vandalism to trees in Maidstone parks and open spaces, please contact communityprotection@maidstone.gov.uk or Kent Police and do not approach the perpetrators.

Reacting to pictures of the tree shared on Facebook, commenter Belinda Hopkins said: "Mindless idiots, I don’t understand what pleasure they get from destruction."

David Mersh said: "They would have needed a knife to do that, probably one that would be classed as an offensive weapon.

"I’ve never seen anything like this."

Ian Taylor said: "Somebody must be sick in the head to waste so much time doing something so pointless."

While a clearly disgusted Mark Deakin commented of the situation: "Awful, I love how much foliage is in South Park, some people are idiots."

Lee Garrett said he had seen similar damage done to trees in Mote Park, Hastings Road and other roads in Shepway where there used be flowering cherry trees, and suspected the same vandals were behind it.