Vandals have snapped a young tulip tree in half that was planted by a renowned actor to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

The tree, planted by the late Sir Donald Sinden, was destroyed in the week that St Michael’s residents and villages across the Tenterden district were celebrating Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.

Tenterden town councillor Ken Mulholland, who lives in St Michael’s said: “Since the tree was planted in 2012 it has been the target of vandals who have broken the odd branch off but now it has been torn in half.

“It’s such a nasty thing to do and it shows a complete lack of respect for the Queen that a tree planted to officially mark her Diamond Jubilee was destroyed in the middle of her 90th birthday celebrations.”

Cllr Mulholland, chairman of the St Michael’s Community Group that organised the tree’s planting and commemorative plaque, said that he became aware of its destruction on June 3, after seeing residents’ messages on Facebook.

He said: “The St Michael’s Community Group tries to do a great job for the village but when something like this happens it feels like it's thrown back in our faces.”

The destruction of the tulip tree in St Michael’s recreation ground, a member of the magnolia family, is all the more poignant as it coincided with the funeral of St Michael’s community stalwart Doreen Mortimer, who had assisted Sir Donald with its planting.

Mrs Mortimer was the longest serving president of St Michael’s WI and a village hall supporter, who helped to run a Good Companions group for elderly people at the venue.

She died at the age of 86 and her funeral was held at St Michael’s Church on June 6.

On hearing of the tree’s destruction Mrs Mortimer’s daughter Karen Pronger said: “The tree has been attacked by vandals before and I don’t understand the mentality of people who would do such a thing and what they get out of it. They are mindless vandals and should be named and shamed.”

Mrs Mortimer, 62, who grew up in St Michael’s but now lives in Hove said: “I moved to St Michael’s when I was nine and it is such a fantastic community with so much to offer and I don’t know why people would want to spoil it.”

A police spokesman said: “We are investigating a report of criminal damage which took place at a recreation ground in Ashford Road, Tenterden, between 3.30pm on Thursday, June 2 and 9.30am on Friday, June 3.

“It was reported that a magnolia tree had been damaged.

“At present, no suspects have been identified however inquiries into this are ongoing.”

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact 101 quoting ZY/018288/16.