Locals were left in shock after the cherished palms at the picturesque town of Torquay, Devon, were dismantled.

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The beloved trees were a symbolic staple at the Italian Gardens overlooking the Torre Abbey Sands since they were first planted in 1924.

But locals are now crying their loss after the council chopped down 40 palms to their stump.

Disgusted residents said their town was dubbed the English Riviera thanks to the “symbolic” tropical palms.

Slamming the council, they labelled the move as “pure vandalism”.

One local blasted: “Absolutely beyond words for the total destruction. How can they justify doing this?”

Another added: “There is no scenario or even universe, where felling palm trees is a good thing.”

A third said: “Soul destroying wanton and criminal. There appears to be an agenda against our much loved palm trees.”

A saddened Torquay resident said the palm trees were part of “many happy childhood days on the beach and on the green”.

They added: “To see the palm trees have been chopped down saddens me as that is what Torquay was all about.

“It was famous for its palms and visitors always enjoyed walking through the lovely gardens with the palms above them. It’s going to look pretty bare now.”

Many angered locals claimed they were never consulted by the council.

But Torbay Council said the move is part of its garden restoration plans ahead of its 100th anniversary next year.

The signs of “significant” degradation in the last two decades forced the council to go ahead with the works.

A public consultation was carried away in 2019 – which concluded that the Italian Gardens were a priority for restoration.

However, the scheme had been delayed ever since.

A Torbay Council spokesperson explained: “With the 100th anniversary of the gardens being next year, it felt timely to make the changes.

“This did unfortunately mean the removal of the palm trees, which after inspection showed significant signs of decline.”

Works to transform the garden will last from winter and into the spring.

Local councillor Adam Billings said he shared people’s “frustrations” and admitted the council had not reminded the public about the plans.

He said: “You can appreciate if you were in my shoes, you’d be equally disappointed.

“It’s clearly not the standard that our local community or indeed the cabinet member expects of the council.”

It comes as homeowners living in a beautiful seaside town fear it’s being ruined by tourists camping on the beach with the local council refusing to stop them.

Locals in Bournemouth say invaders pitching tents have been given the “green light” despite it being against the law.