'Vandals destroyed all our village flowers'

People from a village in Liverpool have said they are outraged after flowers worth thousands of pounds were destroyed by vandals.

Woolton in Bloom has said planters have been torn from their pots and thrown to the ground, causing about £3,000 of damage.

The charity has said it has CCTV footage showing young people in balaclavas pulling up the flowers and throwing them at cars.

Kerry Peacock from Woolton in Bloom, said "every time we've put plants in this year they have come and pulled them out".

She told BBC Radio Merseyside the issue had been ongoing for three years.

"They're throwing them at cars and leaving them anywhere all over the ground to die."

Merseyside Police have been contacted for comment.

Woolton in Bloom was founded back in 2000 by a group of volunteers who were keen to "improve and enhance" the village.

Woolton won the 2014 Champion of Champions award at the Britain in Bloom awards, as well as first prize in the Large Village category in 2013, 2010, and 2008.

They have not competed since but said people still work to maintain the flowers.

Ms Peackock said: "Woolton in Bloom is a whole village effort. People help and support us all year, so this is an affront to all of them.

"We are intimidated by these people. They all have bikes, are wearing balaclavas, masks, and their behaviour is threatening."

Despite the recent reports of vandalism, Woolston was voted best place to live in the North West by the Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership.

The group's treasurer Viv Hicks said: "We have lots of fundraising initiatives and a yearly calendar supported by local businesses, and events.

"We have a store at the monthly market, and then we have the open gardens every other year where 600 people came through the village to admire it.

"And now they are getting thrown on the ground."

Woolton in Bloom said volunteers are now resorting to moving their planters out of the area, and that it will take some effort to fix the problem.

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