Shrubs removed after damage from urine and beer

During a clean up of St George's Street the shrubs were found to be too damaged to save

Decorative shrubs have been removed from a city centre after they were found to be damaged by urine and other liquids being constantly poured over them.

The plants, in St George's Street, Canterbury, Kent, had suffered from "urine, alcohol, fizzy drinks and hot drinks", according to the city council.

The planters containing the shrubs had also been filled with cigarette ends and general litter, so they will now be filled in.

In a statement the council said: "It's not how we wanted it to be, but having tried to make the planters work, it's time to do something different."

The authority is working on a plan to extend the benches to cover the spots where the planters were.

It said this work could take some time.

A scrub deck machine has been used to get St George's pavements clean

The damage was discovered during a general clear up of St George's Street, which runs through the heart of Canterbury.

A scrub deck machine was used to clean the pedestrianised area, while a second device was used to remove discarded chewing gum.