COMMUNITY groups in Whitchurch say they are 'devastated' to find that bush roses and dwarf rhododendrons grown alongside Bridgewater Street have been cut off by Shropshire Council.

The gardens, near Station Road, have been tended to, alongside flowers beds across the town, by Whitchurch Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs but members found staff from the council had used a hedge cutter on them.

The Rotary Club had adopted the raised beds and the derelict gardens more than six years ago and with the help of Inner Wheel and with sponsorship from Four Ways Van Hire has transformed the area.

David Simcock, president of Whitchurch Rotary Club said finding the cut bushes was distressing for members.

"We began work on the flower beds six years ago," he added.

"Shropshire Council was contacted and appropriate permission given, and it was hugely upsetting to find that a hedge cutter has been used on the roses and the rhododendrons.

"The roses are ‘Zest for Life’ and were bought in support of the charity with the same name. A complaint has been made to the council but as yet no response received.”

Clair Schafer, president of Inner Wheel, added: “The red rhododendrons were covered in buds and would have been lovely in the spring. They have been so badly damaged they may not recover.

"A hedge cutter is no way to prune them or the bush roses and at this time of year leaves them vulnerable to the weather. However with careful pruning we hope to save the roses.

"As they have come to maturity, the roses have provided a brilliant show throughout the past two summers and so many local people have commented on them.

"We arrived at the area just as the highways maintenance trucks were pulling away. The driver was able to show us his schedule which clearly marked the beds for cutting.”

Shropshire Council has been approached for comment.