A CHARITY group has blasted mindless vandals who repeatedly target a war memorial garden in Highbridge.

The Highbridge War Memorial Trust, which runs Southwell House and Gardens, has spent thousands of pounds on new facilities there.

And since taking over the running of the house and gardens, set up in memory of soldiers who died in the Second World War, trustees have helped turn an annual £3,500 deficit into a profit.

But their hard work has been jeopardised by yobs who have embarked on a vandalism spree in recent years, smashing windows, setting fire to bins, breaking benches and destroying fences.

Then on Tuesday, trustees were shocked to discover a plaque dedicated to Highbridge war hero Frank Foley had been stolen.

Pam Lyes, trust secretary, told the Weekly News: “We can't keep fundraising to buy new facilities only for them to be damaged in such a short space of time.

“We had a new compost bin installed recently for £860 and it was set on fire - you try to do your best and you get mindless so and sos who think it's funny.

“We have had windows smashed, a brand new fence ripped apart, and every time it happens it costs money to be repaired and you just think 'not again'.”

The defiant group have vowed to continue maintaining and improving the gardens as there is such strong support from the local community at fundraising events.

“Over the last few years we have put new heating in, new disabled toilets, windows and doors, and everyone says it such a lovely little place but there is just these mindless few ruining it”, Mrs Lyes added.