VOLUNTEERS are appealing for a new Christmas tree after the one they planted in a public garden was chopped down and stolen.

CCTV cameras filmed two people sawing down the 10ft tree and carrying it away from Stone Community Garden in Alamein Gardens at 7.04pm on December 11, less than two weeks after it was planted.

Over the last year residents and Stone Parish Councillors have volunteered to renovate the garden, and the council paid £240 for the Christmas tree and £70 for its decorations.

It was hoped it would live 50 years and be the focal point of the community, with schoolchildren singing carols around it each Christmas.

Volunteer Sheila Lusher, a Stone resident for 47 years, says the thieves have “chopped down those hopes”.

The 66-year-old said: “We planted the tree to bring the community together at Christmas, and the thieves have spoiled it for everyone.”

A service of carols sung by schoolchildren was due to take place this Saturday (December 20) but has been cancelled, and only a stump is left of the tree.

However, Mrs Lusher says she and her fellow volunteers are determined not to be defeated by the thieves.

The Tollgate Road resident said: “We won’t give up. We will continue to work on the garden and find a way of getting a replacement tree.”

The parish council has already paid for two Christmas trees in Stone besides the stolen one, and says it cannot afford to buy another.

Along with the volunteers, it is hoping a garden centre will give them a replacement tree or residents will donate the £200 needed to buy one.

Councillor Joyce Wise, who has worked on the garden, said: “The tree meant so much to so many people. We would be very grateful to anyone who helps us replace it.”

Renovating the garden was the idea of Christine Bates, Kent County Council’s community warden for Stone and Greenhithe.

The 50-year-old says she decided to organise a makeover of the garden because it had become a hotspot for youths drinking and taking drugs.

She has overseen the installation of fencing, new benches, a bin and an insect garden, and says drinking and drug taking in the garden has been reduced to zero.

After the tree was stolen, Mrs Bates was so upset she put signs up around the garden which read: “To whoever has stolen the Christmas tree from Alamein Gardens, we hope it gives you much pleasure over Christmas before it dies.

“Had it been left where it was it would have given the whole community pleasure for the next 50 years.”

Kent Police’s Inspector Peter Dale is leading the investigation into the theft and says the CCTV footage is being examined in an attempt to identify the two culprits.

He asked anyone with useful information to call North Kent Police Station on 01474 366180.

To help Stone Community Garden get a new Christmas tree call Stone Parish Council on 01322 224246.