AN environmental charity has condemned vandals who are threatening to wreck years of work to create a community forest.

Workers at the Acorn Trust spoke out following a spate of arson attacks and vandalism at the Caribee Community Woodland, in Delves Lane, Consett, County Durham.

Acorn Trust projects manager Kath Ivens said last night: "It is very disheartening to see all this damage being done - especially after all the hard work that we have done with residents, many of whom have voluntarily given their time and effort.

"We would appeal to the culprits to stop it. They are ruining years of hard work."

The trust has worked for many years with local business Thomas Swan, and members of the community, to look after the wood, carrying out projects such as replanting trees and improving footpaths.

The woodland has a small stream running through it, which leaves the area through a culvert running under the road.

Two years ago, environmental trainees working with Anchor Training built a drystone wall at the edge of the woodland, to keep out livestock and improve the appearance of the entrance.

Last week, the culvert was vandalised and a farmer caught boys trying to block the culvert with stones from the wall.

He made them replace the stones, but later that day the wall was again damaged and the culvert blocked.

Acorn Action Team, the trust's volunteers, repaired the wall, and removed all trace of the damage.

Another problem, especially during the summer, has been arson attacks.

Volunteers and local school children recently planted part of the wood with saplings.

But this area has been repeatedly set alight, with many gorse bushes and young conifers targeted.

Ms Ivens said: "This behaviour has caused considerable damage, and is a hazard to wildlife and other people enjoying the wood.

"Most of the trees were only planted five years ago, and are still quite young.

"But, when they are killed, it means five years' work is wasted."