HANGING baskets designed to bring colour to a West Devon town were vandalised within four days of being installed.

Okehampton & District Funeral Service, based on East Street, was the victim of mindless vandalism on Monday when its two new baskets — installed last Thursday (May 28) — were destroyed and littered across the pavement.

David Albery, funeral director, said: ‘We wanted to do something for the town and brighten the place up. It really saddens me that someone has seen fit to destroy our beautiful hanging baskets. Whoever did this, I hope you are ashamed.’

David added: ‘I would like to thank the kind person who cleaned up what you could. Also to the people of Okehampton in general who have been so kind to us during recent difficult times. But last of all, I would like to thank Jane of Country Lanes Garden Centre for kindly redoing our baskets.’