THREE trees in West Cliff Green were poisoned with herbicide, tests have confirmed.

As reported in the Daily Echo, police and council officers are investigating after drill holes were spotted in the pine trees in June.

Residents living nearby immediately suspected that the holes had been used to introduce chemicals to poison the tree.

Arboricultural experts from Bournemouth council now say the trees have all tested positive for very high levels of the herbicide glyphosate.

Earlier this year, EU politicians raised fears over the controversial crop desiccant's safety after the WHO's cancer agency found that it was "probably carcinogenic to humans", although further analysis by the UN's Food Agriculture Organisation and the WHO found that the chemical was “unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans from exposure through the diet”.

Two of the trees, which are close to the site of the former St George's Hotel, had up to 15 holes drilled into them.

A third pine was later found with a 'crystal-like' substance on its trunk.

Reverend Chris Colledge of the West Cliff Residents' Association said: "What I find really alarming is the calculated intent required to poison three mature trees, which have been here for many years.

"My question, which I think many people in the community are also asking, is who would have the motive for committing this type of criminal damage.

"Equally important is who would have the knowledge required to poison these trees."

The trees are showing signs of ill health.

Members of Bournemouth council's arboricultural department have plugged the drill holes with wooden dowels to stop any more substances being poured into the tree.

CCTV will be installed in the coming weeks.

"Individuals cannot take the law into their own hands, and the person responsible cannot be allowed to get away with this terrible act of criminal damage," Rev Colledge said.

"How anybody could do something like this is just beyond me."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting crime number 55160093780.