Council workers’ felling of the trees in Torquay, Devon, left a “stark scene” that provoked public outcry in the seaside town.

The palms have stood in the Italian Gardens, which looks over Torre Abbey Sands beach, since they were planted in 1924.

Torbay Council cut the trees down as part of a restoration of the gardens ahead of its 100th anniversary.

It said the palms had showed signs of “significant” degradation in the last 20 years and the work was carried out by contractors to upgrade the site.

Locals were stunned as photos showed 40 trees chopped to just their stumps – and described them as “synonymous” with the area.

One person called the act “pure vandalism”, while another said they were “disgusted” and “devastated” at the felling.

Residents also described the council as “soulless” and questioned how such an act could be justified.

Many expressed anger that there was no consultation on the decision, with one person stating: “Sometimes people advocating change seem to operate with a bludgeon.”

Another said it was apparently done “in the dead of night, like they did in Plymouth”.

Torbay Council promised the restoration would lead to more trees being planted.

Public consultation in 2019 identified the area as a priority for restoration, but the scheme had been delayed since.

The garden will now be transformed over the winter and into the spring.

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