The Friends will discuss the cost of plants with the council next week

A gardener used a sit-on mower to slice through thousands of plants, some of which were on the point of flowering.

The meadow at Torre Churchyard, Torquay, was planted by the Friends of the Churchyard and local children.

The chairman of the group said she was "astonished" because the council had agreed not to cut the meadow. Torbay Council said it was "deeply sorry".

A council statement said: "The council is responsible for grass areas, totalling an equivalent of 300 football pitches, around Torbay and works hard to keep them looking their best.

I was gobsmacked, quite frankly Margaret Forbes-Hamilton

"Unfortunately the wildflower meadow was included in the first round of grass cutting for the year and we are deeply sorry for the upset it may have caused."

It added that it had taken steps to ensure it did not happen again.

The garden was being used by alcoholics and drug users before the Friends received the grant to renovate it.

Education programme

Chairman Margaret Forbes-Hamilton told BBC News: "I was gobsmacked, quite frankly.

"We'd had a site meeting with the head of gardens and grass cutting to point out the planted areas and they agreed not to touch it unless we specifically asked them too."

Year five schoolchildren had helped plant the meadow as part of an education programme.

"One of the whole ideas was to encourage them to treasure this gem in the centre of Torquay," Mrs Forbes-Hamilton said.

"I'm so disappointed, but it's done now and what can you say.

"We've got a meeting next week with the council and the cost of the plants will be under discussion."

Meanwhile, the group is waiting for experts' opinion on the root damage and possible recovery of some of the plants.