The community of Deal has come together to raise cash after a number of memorial benches were vandalised in the town last week.

The first to be damaged was located along the seafront and dedicated to Nick Webb, a publisher who lived between London and Deal, who died in 2012.

On Sunday, July 3, passers-by realised it had been completely pulled apart and destroyed.

Outraged residents reacted on Facebook site Deal Watch to the “mindless” act of vandalism and pledged to donate cash for repairs.

Deal fundraiser Kerry Rubins contacted the family of Mr Webb and set up a Go Fund Me page for people to donate.

She said: “When vandals destroy a bench they are not just upsetting the family of someone who has died, they are also striking at our community values.”

Miss Rubins decided to liaise with the council and Carol Kellas, who originally fundraised for Mr Webb’s bench, to help bring it back to its former glory.

She said: “I know the family and friends of Nick Webb will be so grateful for us coming together as a community.”

Mrs Kellas, a friend and neighbour of Mr Webb and his wife Sue, said he was a much-loved character in the town.

She said: “I was quite angry because I just don’t understand why somebody would do anything so stupid. It’s an attack on the community really, you put something like a bench up because you want to honour Nick’s memory and then someone comes along and smashes it up for fun. It’s an affront to community values.”

Later, on Saturday, July 9, another three benches were seen to have minor damage near to the bandstand on Walmer Green.

They have now been removed by Dover District Council until the funds can be raised.

So far £55 of the £500 goal has been raised for Mr Webb’s bench and any surplus will go towards the repairs for the other three. One of these benches is in memory of Christine Orridge, a former Walmer Parish councillor who died in 2011.

Mrs Orridge, of Mayers Road, had been a member of the parish council since it was formed in 1996. So far, police have not received any reports of damaged benches. If you see any examples, please call 101.

To donate visit: gofundme.com/2dn8s2bc