TWO garden-loving pensioners have had their summer peace ruined by display-wrecking vandals.

Ada Thompson, 95, and Cicely Crouch, 90, are both proud of the blaze of colour from the fuchsias, petunias and geraniums around their gardens at The Crescent, Marchwood.

But twice in the past week, Mrs Thompson has been shattered at the sight of broken flower tubs, soil and plants strewn across her well-kept lawn.

And at the weekend, both she and her next door neighbour Mrs Crouch were left with flower tubs overturned and plants ripped from the ground.

Now the police have taken a hand and Pc Rob Ford is appealing for anyone who can help trace the culprits to contact them at Hythe Police Station on 01703 845511.

"It has been quite a shock for these two ladies. These are totally malicious acts and it would surely not be unreasonable to expect that they should be allowed to enjoy their retirements and their gardens in peace," he said.

Mrs Thompson has lived at The Crescent for 20 years and had no problems at all in her quiet corner of Marchwood until recently, with a stone smashing her window a month ago and the garden vandalism breaking out in the past few days.

She said: "Why they can't leave me alone I just don't know."

She was so upset at the sight of the vandalism that she had difficulty in eating her lunch.

Mrs Crouch is equally bemused by the wrecking, which seems to occur late at night after the pubs have cleared out.

She said: "I just can't understand anybody doing something like this."

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