Accident destroys memorial tree in Napton

A motorist, whom witnesses have said was driving a Land Rover, came off the road in High Street and smashed through the tree before driving off.

The crash, which took place at about 11pm, also dislodged a memorial plaque from its concrete base.

Villager Ken Betteridge, whose garden hedge was damaged in the incident, said: “I’m not bothered about my hedge but people were concerned about the tree.

“They were walking past in the morning and asking what had happened.”

The flowering cherry tree was one of eight which have been planted alongside plaques to pay tribute to the eight servicemen who lived in the village and died during the Second World War.

It was dedicated to Albert Thornicroft, a soldier who served in the Cold Stream Guards - a regiment of the Queen’s Guards.

The plaque was not damaged in the crash and can be set back in place but it will cost the village’s War Memorial Working Party about £150 to replace the tree, which was planted last year.

Malcolm Thomas, of the working party, said: “This was just an accident and unfortunately the tree was in the way.

“It will be replaced in time for Remembrance Day.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to call 415000, quoting incident 142 of October 20.

A Remembrance Day service will be held at the village’s new war memorial at the junction of School Hill and The Butts on Sunday November 11 from 10.45am.