Resident Barbara Sweetman says she is 'devastated' to see the grass has been cut in Knowle Gardens.

Many councils in the UK are participating in No Mow May, a form of 'wilding' which allows the grass to grow and wildflowers to flourish throughout the month.

Barbara Sweetman contacted the Herald after seeing contractors for Sidmouth Town Council cutting the grass in Knowle Gardens on Saturday (May 18).

She said: "We were devastated to find the local council have mown the whole of the Knowle Park. The wildflower meadows have been destroyed. They were planted at great expense and just at the most critical time they have been destroyed. We see this as a wildlife crime."

In response a Sidmouth Town Council spokesman said: “The Knowle has just been taken on by Sidmouth Town Council and the site has differing areas of management regimes due to a number of different uses. The South of the site is going to be managed as entirely ’Wild’ and will shortly be signed with nature trails and interpretation boards. This has not been cut and sits well with those that support such things as No Mow May. The Formal Gardens and much of the Areana areas are cut as part of a stricter management plan to allow recreation by the public and provide shorter grassed areas for different types of wildlife rather than a monoculture”

East Devon District Council's website says the council has been promoting No Mow May for the past couple of years. Sidmouth Town Council took over the ownership of Knowle Gardens in February and said at the time that they plan to work to boost biodiversity, as well as adding paths and trails for visitors to enjoy. There are also plans to increase the parking available in the lower car park on the site.