VANDALS have targeted a town centre park.

A bench at Winsford Town Park has been destroyed by vandals.

 Fortunately, it is not all bad news, with the Friends of Winsford Town Park confirming

John Malam, chair of the volunteer group, said: “It's very disappointing to learn that another wooden bench has been vandalised in Town Park.”

The benches were installed in 2018 by Cheshire West as part of the work to create Winsford Town Park.

Mr Malam added: “Since then, several have been vandalised.

“Wherever possible, the Friends of Winsford Town Park have repaired the vandalised benches, which are then returned to the park by Winsford Town Council, who have day-to-day responsibility for the park.”

The Friendship Bench, funded by the Friends of Winsford Town Park in 2021The Friendship Bench, funded by the Friends of Winsford Town Park in 2021 (Image: John Malam)

Looking ahead, three new benches are to be funded by the Friends of Winsford Town Park.

It is hoped the new benches, which are all metal and in a ‘classic park bench style’, will be put in place within the next few weeks.

Each of the new benches will bear a plaque with the bench name on it - the Chatty Bench, the Hope Bench, and the Reading Bench.

The Friends have already funded three benches at the park, starting with the ‘Friendship Bench’ in 2021.

This was followed by ‘Our Bench’ and then the ‘Family Bench’, installed earlier this year.

Speaking at the time, the then town mayor, Ernie Welch, said: “It will be a welcome addition, and a really nice place to sit and collect your thoughts when out enjoying the park and its surrounding.

"The Friends are doing a great job promoting and caring for this cherished community asset.”