ERSKINE residents have slammed vandals who torched a tree at the weekend.

The tree at Newshot Island, which had been in place for decades, was targeted shortly before 5.30pm on Saturday.

Two residents tried to put out the blaze with buckets of water before calling the emergency services but were unsuccessful.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “We were alerted to reports of a tree on fire near Newshot, Erskine.

“Operations control immediately mobilised one fire engine. Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”