A MUM is upset after discovering a ‘beautiful’ wooden sign has been vandalised in a popular Worcester park.

Fay Edwards, from Worcester, found the damaged sign in Gheluvelt Park on Monday while she was out on her daily walk with her four-year-old daughter.

Dr Edwards said: “Apparently someone had burnt this beautiful wooden sign, that has brought joy to so many over the years, in a makeshift bonfire. You can just make out the dedication plaque in among the ashes. Despicable behaviour for which there can surely be no excuse.

“My little girl noticed it was missing. She said to me ‘Mummy, where’s the sign?’ I looked and there were two holes in the ground where it should be. I hoped, for a moment that one of the park attendants had removed it for repair. Then I noticed the charred remains of the sign nearby. I didn’t have the heart to tell her.”

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Dr Edwards, aged 37, said the wooden sign is a ‘big hit with kids’ and has carvings of different animals which mark a nature trail in the park.

She added: “It’s a heart-sinking feeling, especially with the coronavirus pandemic when there’s so many people who are doing wonderful things. It’s a destructive thing to do.”

Dr Edwards usually takes her daughter through the trail during one of their local walks.

Councillor Lynn Denham, vice chair of Worcester City Council’s communities committee, said: “The Safer Worcester Partnership is actively looking at changes in criminal and anti-social behaviour since the pandemic started; we will be discussing what additional local action needs to be taken at a virtual meeting to be held next week.

“We can confirm that some of the wooden nature trail boards in Gheluvelt Park have been burned and as they were handmade, it won’t be possible to replace them immediately.

“The local policing team are making regular visits to Gheluvelt Park and other parks and open spaces across Worcester.”