DRUNKEN louts are being blamed for wrecked flower displays in Colchester’s High Street.

Colchester In Bloom volunteers say the displays in five planters have been destroyed virtually every weekend since they were installed in June.

Chairman Pam Schomberg described the vandalism as “devastating”.

She added: “In the past people have pinched some plants but it has never been a big issue but now, every weekend, people are just pulling them up and throwing them around the street.

“They are not stealing them, it is just for fun.

“The road sweeper kept putting them back in and we didn’t realise until our guy went to water them.

“They keep dying."

Mrs Schomberg couldn’t put a price on the overall damage but said each planter cost £90 with added costs for flowers and compost.

Volunteers have now stopped replanting the flowers, which had included expensive new Guinea Busy Lizzies.

She added: “The town doesn’t have enough plants as it is. It is devastating. The only reason I do Colchester In Bloom is because I want the town to look nice.”

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