Could this be a result of the Viburnham beetle? Which looks very similar to that of Viburnham Tinus, if so then sprayed with bugclear three times a year normally stops the leaves being shredded.

Good grief, what devastation! I think it is Viburnum beetle.

Oh thankyou both so much, I thought I might have to remove them, I have had both shrubs for donkeys years and hadn't got a clue, as I said its never happened before, I did scrape the bark of the one in my front garden and was relieved to see all the green on the branches, at first I even asked my hubby if he had backed the car too close and burnt it with the exhaust, I won't tell you what his answer was, lol.....

Oops Julien, your reply hadn't appeared when I answered.

I have a Buddleija which always looks like this every year, then recovers and flowers perfectly. Never knew what it was, but never have it on the Viburnums!

I've never had it before Honey, I was wondering whether to cut them both down for now and see how we get on next year with some new growth, neither shrub is near the pond so I can use a spray on them.....