VANDALS ripped up plants from a community garden in Langlee just hours after they had been planted, residents were told this week.

A resident, who we have decided not to name, volunteered her time to spruce up the housing estate.

However, she was revealed she was shocked to discover half the flowers she planted were stolen overnight and then the other half disappeared soon after.

“I have tried, year after year after year.” But she added: “I’m not going to do it anymore.” Langlee Residents Association, which was setup to improve the area, condemned the vandals at their latest meeting in the community centre.

Chairwoman Judith Cleghorn, who suggested inviting pupils from Galashiels Academy to help tidy up the area and plant new flowers, said: “It shouldn’t be happening.” But she added: “If we all work together we could make a really stunning garden.” The LRA heard Galashiels didn’t score highly in a national floral competition last year due to all the upheaval created by the construction of the Borders Railway. But Judith added: “We’re hoping to make a real show of it this year.” Meanwhile, members heard that local schoolchildren were planning to setup their own youth residents association to give them a say in what happens in Langlee.