RESIDENTS from an East Cleveland village have been left disgusted after vandals damaged two Christmas trees and took off with a wooden sculpture.
The incident took place last night (Wednesday 7 December) when at least four quad bikers caused havoc in Lingdale.
Two sets of lights have been damaged, one from a tree at Lingdale crossroads, which was provided by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, and the other at Little Moorsholm roundabout, which was from the local community. Only one set of lights, at the crossroads site, now works.
The sculpture, which was of a hare named Harry, was located on Stanghow Road at the southern entrance to Lingdale and was carved by Staithes sculptor Steve Iredale. The artwork was only installed in October and was dubbed the unofficial mascot for the village.
Lockwood ward councillor, Steve Kay, said: “It’s absolutely terrible. Witnesses saw the quad bikers use the roundabout like a racetrack. They tried to rip the lights from both trees and have left the top half of one tree damaged. It almost seemed like an organised plan.
“I’m deeply saddened about the sculpture, which was ripped from its plinth and stolen. It was an impressive piece of artwork and has only been in place for two months. The local community had plans to create flower beds around the base to welcome residents and visitors to the village, and all of that is gone now.”
The Council have offered to help financially towards the repairing of the lights and Cllr Kay said there would be an attempt to reshape the top of the tree at the crossroads.
“The police have been informed about the whole thing,” Cllr Kay explained. “But we are just so disappointed about it. It’s inexcusable what they have done.”