TREES planted at Yellowcraig by pupils at a local primary school have been vandalised, damaged and their stakes set on fire.

About 250 trees of different species were planted by pupils from Dirleton Primary School in April 2018, near the playground on the western edge of the woodland, as part of their work for the John Muir Award.

On the morning of February 14, East Lothian Countryside Rangers found 40 of the 250 trees planted by the school uprooted, with the tree tubes removed and scattered around the area.

The tubes were placed around the base of the young trees to protect them from animals.

Wooden stakes, installed to help support the saplings while they were growing, were also removed and used to start a fire in the play area.

The fire also damaged a log seat which had been made by a felled tree.

It is not known who caused the damage or how many people were involved.

It is thought that some of the trees will need to be replanted, while others can be saved. The Countryside Rangers said they were sad to discover the damage and called it “very disappointing”.

Work on replanting and retubing the trees started last week by the countryside rangers and Friends of Yellowcraig volunteers.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said the damage was fairly minor in nature but “completely unnecessary activity”.

They added that the community wardens were aware of the incident and thanked the Yellowcraig volunteers for their support.