SIX new trees will be planted in a Bournemouth park on Monday after two trees on the same site died from poisoning.

Unknown vandals poisoned the two maritime pine trees on West Cliff Green over a period of two years and the damage was spotted by residents last summer.

There will be now be six new trees planted within the fenced area surrounding the dead trees next Monday morning, under the supervision of Bournemouth’s arboricultural team.

Chris Colledge, chairman of the West Cliff Green Residents Association, said he will be doing all he can to ensure that the new trees are not harmed.

He said: “Monitoring the area for repeat attacks will be happening but it is hoped that the residents and the West Cliff community will be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police to ensure the new trees are not attacked in a similar way.”

The vandals drilled up to 15 holes into the trunks of the two trees and dripped herbicide poison into the holes.

The dead trees, which were up to 40-years-old, will remain in place as they are not considered to be dangerous.