NEW hanging baskets in Upton's Old Street proved too much temptation for opportunist thieves last week.

Ten baskets were stolen on Thursday night, after two young men had been spotted acting suspiciously.

Guest house owner Mike Burt kept his video surveillance camera running until 2am after seeing them off.

"At first I thought they were going to break into the buildings opposite. Then I saw some hanging baskets on the floor and I thought it was just high jinks on the way home from the pub," he said.

He did not hear the youths come back, but next morning found one of his baskets on the ground and the bracket wrenched from the wall.

Susan Russell of Cooks Bakery, who had two baskets stolen, said: "It really makes me cross.

"We've made an effort to make the town look nice and then this happens. It's soul destroying."

Lynne van Wyngaarden, organiser of Upton Flags and Flowers, said: "It's sad that someone will do this but fortunately we have some money in the kitty to replace them.

"We raised more than £700 with a casino evening at Welland Court last month and the turnout for our monthly antique flea markets has been brilliant."

PC Dilip Sarkar advised people to be vigilant and to secure hanging baskets with strong wire or a padlock and chain.