Vandals killed an entire colony of frogs in Radlett on Sunday when they poured oil into a village pond.

All of the frogs died, along with the frog spawn. The pond, at Fir Spring Wood, is now lifeless, and Aldenham Parish Council is still trying to work out how much it will cost to clean up.

Because of a contagious disease that is killing off other frogs in Britain, it will not be possible to bring new frogs into the pond for the foreseeable future. The vandals also threw seating logs that had been placed around the pond into the water.

Parish Clerk Carrie Dudziak said: "It was a nice area that has been ruined by a senseless act of vandalism."

Thieves also stole more than 50 polyanthus plants from Tykeside Gardens in Watling Street, possibly to be sold on for Mother's Day.