A COMMEMORATION garden built to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War has been vandalised.

Volunteers at the Oakdale Library garden discovered the taps on two water butts - bought through a grant from the Co-Op - had been torn off, cracking the butts and rendering them useless.

"We just don't understand why someone would do that," said garden association treasurer Ray Alderton. It's very disappointing - especially as this is a commemorative garden. We hold a service there every year so it's a really important area."

The garden, which includes a plaque dedicated to the memory of the fallen, was opened in July 2014 at a poignant ceremony attended by veterans and Chelsea Pensioners.

It's centrepiece is a red, white and blue mosaic poppy set in a heart, with the words ‘Lest We Forget’ in black.

The aim of the garden is to remember all conflicts and provide a reflective area in the corner of the library grounds in Dorchester Road.

Since it opened it has been lovingly maintained by small team committed volunteers, but they are now struggling to keep it watered, added Ray.

"We're a small association with four regular member and it's entirely done by volunteers. We don't have any funding and the members raise what they can selling a few items - but it's obviously minimal. A new water butt is around £60 or £70 - which we just don't have."

He added: "Obviously keeping the gardens watered is vital at this time of year. We are now struggling with watering cans from the back.

"It's so disappointing - it's for the community of Oakdale, for them to enjoy."

It is not the first time the volunteers have been left clearing up - part of the fence was ripped up last winter, added Ray. "This is not the first act of mindless vandalism we have experienced but is the first one that significantly affects us."

He appealed for local resident or businesses who might be able to provide a water butt for the commemorative garden to get in touch with him at purpleray2708@yahoo.co.uk