CHILDREN who went into their local woods were shocked to find their favourite tree had been set on fire.

Young members of the Looe Beavers were looking forward to going to Kilminorth Woods and playing near a huge beech, which they know as the ‘rope swing tree’.

But the children and their leaders were upset to find that someone had actually lit a fire inside the tree’s trunk.

Leader Vicky Richardson said: ‘’The tree has been damaged and burnt, and there were cans and things in the trunk.

‘Our kids were so upset to see such mindless damage to their favourite tree in the wood.’

The woodland is part of a nature reserve owned by Cornwall Council and managed by the Friends of Kilminorth Woods.

Spokesperson for the Friends Christine Spooner and her husband Derek said that regrettably, it was not the first time that anti-social behaviour had taken place.

‘As beech trees mature, they suppress the undergrowth around them, which creates an inviting place for people to meet,’ said Christine.

‘This is a notable hotspot for litter, which is regularly collected by local people in the woods, including young people.’

This particular beech tree is more than 100 years old, but has not always been treated with the respect it deserves, said Christine.

Over the years, people have carved graffiti into the trunk, which interferes with the tree’s ability to feed itself. Even rope swings, while fun for youngsters, can cause damage to the tree if care is not taken, as branches can become constricted, cutting off the food supply and eventually killing the branch.

‘This tree has been here longer than any of us living in Looe, and should be as venerated as a great grandparent,’ she said.

‘Instead, it has been subject to abuse for many years.’