WHEN vandals destroyed five young apple trees in Stroud, two local businesspeople decided the town shouldn’t miss out.

Helen Brent-Smith and Dave Kaspar donated five trees to Stroud Town Council.

The couple are well known at Stroud Farmers’ Market for their Day’s Cottage organic apple juice, cider and perry.

They also grow fruit trees to sell and have donated saplings to replace the vandalised trees.

The trees are rare single varieties from the county including: Siddington Russet, Gloucester Costard and Hunt’s Duke of Gloucester.

“We are replacing the apple trees that were damaged by vandals because we know how much the people of Stroud enjoyed the blossom and then watching the fruit form,” said Helen and Dave.

“Stroud has been good to us and we wanted to give something back.”

Mike Dando, manager of the Town Council’s Green Spaces team, said the donation would help make the town centre more attractive.

“People are curious about old varieties of fruit and these trees will provide a wonderful opportunity for everyone to see and enjoy them and watch their development through the seasons. It was a very generous donation and we thank Day’s Cottage.”

Stroud Town Mayor Kevin Cranston said: “It’s great to see a local business putting something back into Stroud and we are very grateful to Helen and Dave for their generous gift.”