´This is desecration´ says hedges protester

A GUTSY one woman protest brought ´environmental vandalism´ to a halt in a Bangor housing estate earlier this week.

Eco-warrior Jenny Salters hijacked a JCB for four hours on Monday after workmen moved in to dig up hedges and shrubs at Rathgill.

The work is being undertaken by the Housing Executive understood to be an antisocial behaviour measure following complaints from other residents.

But nature lover Jennny claims that birds had been nesting in the greenery, which it is claimed, had been used as a hang-out for troublemakers.

"This is just desecration," Jenny told the Spectator, "and I´m prepared to stay here all day if I have to."

"They shouldn´t be allowed to destroy living things. These should be preserved for future generations - for your children and grandchildren.

"I would have liked to have been consulted over this, apparently the plan is to remove all hedges from the estate.

"They claim that a survey has been carried out with residents and this is what they want, but not everyone wants this.

"There are blackbirds, starlings and robins nesting in here. The seasons are altering and birds are nesting earlier in the year now.

"What I think this is, the Housing Executive have money to use before the end of March so this is just a case of them using up funds before the end of the financial year."

Housing Executive officials have arranged a meeting with Mrs Salters. This has been scheduled for today (Thursday).