A Kenilworth resident was "livid" to discover that a young tree on a residential street had been ripped up and damaged by council contractors.

Four weeks of work improving the pavements on Moseley Road began on Monday (June 15), organised by Warwickshire County Council.

But one local wrote to Nub News to share her frustration that a "beautiful" magnolia tree had been removed in a "thoughtless" act.

"We woke up today to discover to our shock that the magnolia had been ripped up and laid on its side," she told Nub News on Tuesday.

"The men then plonked it roughly back in the ground.

"It's now standing proud of the hole, roots askew.

"It's crooked and the support posts are leaning at an angle.

"Even worse, the trunk has been snapped in the middle.

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"It is surely doomed.

"The damage almost looks malicious. It's certainly reckless."

The tree had been planted as part of a Kenilworth Town Council planting scheme.

The Moseley Road resident said she had taken on the role of tree guardian - encouraged by the council - to keep the tree watered and maintained.

"Such behaviour is thoughtless and appalling," she continued.

"To say that I'm livid is an understatement.

"Trees are a passion of mine and it is devastating to see so many randomly chopped down for all the various constructions going on in the area."

She added: "Apparently it was so a JCB could get in. This makes no sense to me.

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"Moseley Road has dozens of trees, lamp posts and telegraph poles.

"Surely they don't plan to rip them all out? In addition, there's no rush.

"Four weeks have been allocated and they're making good progress.

"Well, in a way."

The Moseley Road resident - who has submitted a formal complaint to the council - said she hopes the tree will be replaced.

The county council confirmed to Nub News this would happen.

They said: "Regrettably, during work on one of our footway schemes on Moseley Road in Kenilworth, a sapling was damaged and subsequently removed by our contractor.

"We have put arrangements in place to ensure that the sapling will be replaced in the next planting season."

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Moseley Road will remain closed until July 7 while works continue.