A modern War of the Roses: Fighting breaks out in greenhouse power struggle New committee was formed and veteran members claim they were 'sidelined' Two men rowed in a communal greenhouse over plants New group formed in time for national competition 'The cloak of envy lies heavy on their shoulders' fumes one former member A modern War of the Roses has erupted in a sedate seaside town when police had to break up members of In Bloom group who allegedly began fighting over its plants. A power struggle for control of the group culminated in a brawl in a community greenhouse Dartmouth in Devon. The row was sparked when the Dartmouth In Bloom group was recently reformed with a new committee and chairman after differences about its direction and make up. Pictured are the winning South West in Bloom team from Dartmouth in 2012. Sue Thomson, third from right, claims many veteran members were sidleined A large number of plants were removed from the riverside greenhouse - allegedly without the knowledge of the newly- formed bloom group Previous members who had either resigned or were forced out then allegedly started removing plants and tools from a communal greenhouse that sparked the furious clash. Police ended up being called in after the row allegedly turned violent as the husbands of prominent figures in the on-going row confronted one another inside the greenhouse building. A large number of plants were removed from the riverside greenhouse - allegedly without the knowledge of the newly-formed bloom group team. And there were claims that gardening tools have also been taken - although that has been rejected by one former bloom committee member, who say members were only retrieving their own property. Paul Thomson, the husband of the group's former publicity officer Sue, was in the riverside greenhouse on Saturday afternoon when he was confronted with Tim Trent, the husband of the group's current secretary Melanie. In the argument that followed Mr Trent claims he was assaulted by Mr Thomson and reported the incident to the police. Mr Thomson admitted there was a slanging match but claimed he never touched the other man. The Royal Avenue Gardens in Dartmouth. Some former members of the team claim their hard work and dedication over the years has been overlooked There were claims that gardening tools and plants were taken - although that has been rejected A police spokesman confirmed a complaint of common assault had been made after one man was removing items from the greenhouse while the other man was taking photographs of him. The spokesman said: 'Both parties have been given words of advice and police will not be pursuing any prosecution.' Mr Trent said: 'The Police Constable said he had visited Mr Thomson and it was obviously one gentleman's word against another. I bear the man no ill-will. Mr Thomson said the row began because he claimed Mr Trent was taking photographs of him while he was removing his own property. 'We did have a bit of a slanging match but I did not touch him,' he said. New Dartmouth in Bloom chairman Stevie Rogers said a notice was placed on the greenhouse asking people who may own plants or other property to get in contact so they could be removed to make way for this year's major effort to win a national award. She said she was shocked by what happened next as she claimed former committee members made no effort to make contact but simply went in and took the plants away. Police Officer Rebecca Sutton tends to blooming hanging baskets in Dartmouth. The town has a shot at national glory - but the new committee is a thorn in the side of some older members Police ended up being called in after the clash in the greenhouse allegedly turned violent But former bloom group publicity officer Sue Thomson claimed the notice had asked people to remove their plants - so they had. She said that some of the plants had belonged to the former committee members while others had been kept there while people were away on holiday and others had been donated. The ugly bust-up came as Dartmouth in Bloom was riding of a wave of recent success. They had taken gold in the prestigious South West in Bloom 2012 contest - earning them a shot at national title Britain In Bloom for only the third time in its 34-year history. Tension mounted earlier this month when a new 'streamlined' committee was formed to plot national victory. The new committee announced it had 're-formed and re-launched as a properly constituted, fully accountable not-for-profit organisation'. New chairman Stevie Rogers, 62, insisted the group needed to adopt a formal constitution and form a new committee or risk losing its funding from Dartmouth Town Council. 'Where there is public money involved you need a constitution so there is accountability,' she said. 'We are trying our best to win this year but we had to have some accountability as to where the money went,' she added. But the sudden changes triggered a wave of resignations from veterans who claimed they were being 'sidelined'. Its chairman Paul Allen, who is also mayor of Dartmouth, resigned initially. Other officer post resignations followed including Mrs Thomson's and many of the committee members were left out in the cold when the new committee was formed along with the adoption of a constitution just over a fortnight ago. Former bloom group publicity officer Mrs Thomson lashed out at the way the town's new-look bloom team had been re-formed. She claimed veteran volunteers were snubbed and there had been a total disregard for what has been achieved over the last 33 years by the previous team. She said: 'The RHS had been impressed with our achievements during the last year and felt with the progress we had made a shot at the nationals was within our grasp.' Why do they feel the need to destroy the goodwill? The cloak of envy lies heavy on their shoulders - all I can say is be careful what you wish for. I am sure the town council will be taking a very keen interest in your efforts, as well as townsfolk. 'We are all looking forward to the floral extravaganzas, to use Cllr Dave Cawley's words, which the new dynamic management team will produce.'