A MALVERN widow has told of her anger and sadness after motorists illegally driving over Hereford-shire Beacon destroyed her family's commemorative bench.

The vandals smashed into the bench, bought by Peggy Hill in 1981 to remember her husband, Ted, in the weeks just after the new year.

It was a particular favourite with the couple's grandchildren, who often visited 'Gran-dad's Seat' on 'Grandad's Hill' as a way to remember him.

Engraved with 'Ted and Peggy Hill', the bench was also popular with walkers who used it to take a breather after walking up from the British Camp car park.

One of ten children born and raised in Malvern, Mr Hill served for six years in the merchant navy during the war before continuing a lifelong career as a bricklayer. Walking up from British Camp to look over the reservoir was a fav-ourite pastime.

Ted had been married to Peggy, who came to the area from Cheshire, for 38 years when he died. Together the couple had five children.

Eldest son Peter said: "This outrage has caused considerable upset and sadness for my mother and the Hill family. The cost of a replacement seat is £600, which my family is prepared to meet with the generous help of the Malvern Hills Conservators.

"I would like to think that whoever committed this act would contribute towards the cost. We live in hope."

Ian Rowat, Conservators director, said that tyre marks had revealed that two Land Rovers gained access to paths from the Pink Cottage at the Castlemorton end of the Malvern Hills.

He added: "I think it was done at night because there are too many people around during the day. As well as somehow driving straight into the bench, they have also taken a chunk out of a scheduled ancient moment with the bottom of the vehicle. The Shire Ditch travels along the length of the hills and predates the iron-age fort.

"It's obviously upsetting to Mrs Hill and if anybody has got any information we would be pleased to hear from them."

The Conservators can be contacted on 01684 892002.