The actions of thoughtless vandals who destroyed picnic benches enjoyed by families and school children have been slammed by a councillor.

Jane Owens, of Boughton-under-Blean parish council, took to Facebook to hit out at yobs who "attempted to spoil things for the majority" by ripping up wooden seating on the park next to the village hall, often used by youngsters from the neighbouring Boughton-under-Blean and Dunkirk primary school.

But the behaviour of the mindless vandals - thought to be three boys - was not enough to dampen community spirit.

Instead, a kindly group of volunteers got to work at the weekend to fix the benches, brought after a fundraising drive in the village, after they were pulled apart late at night on Wednesday, January 1.

Cllr Owens, who was chairman of the recently disbanded Boughton Community Projects group when fundraising efforts were made for the tables, has praised community spirit and is urging people to report any further incidents.

"It is such a shame that a few people feel the need to damage property and attempt to spoil things for the majority," she said.

"The park benches have been welcomed by many villagers and visitors to the park who have enjoyed using them.

"However, out of adversity we often see generosity and kindness come to the fore, and Mark Slater, who runs MS Property Services, and his team have come to our rescue.

"There have been many comments of support and thanks on our village Facebook page and we are all grateful for the continued community spirit that lives in Boughton-under-Blean.

"In future if anyone notices any vandalism please advise the village hall as soon as you can so action can be taken to prosecute."

Cllr Owens says the matter has been reported to the neighbourhood police team, and that CCTV footage shows three boys are the culprits but that images are not clear enough for them to be identified.

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