COUNCIL workers have defiantly reconstructed a floral tribute to a loyal gardener after the original was wrecked by cruel vandals.

Hyndburn Council staff had spent weeks preparing the special flower bed for Maurice McNamara, who recently retired after 40 years working for the borough.

But the surprise was ruined for Maurice when hooligans pulled up some of the flowers and trampled across the bed.

Instead of letting the vandals win, council staff, who felt it was the only way to honour Maurice's long service, vowed to pick up the pieces and reconstruct the tribute, which had been placed inside Oak Hill Park, Accrington.

A council spokesman said: "This attack was no mistake, as it is a hard flower bed to get to.

"We have decided to rebuild it, even though it has cost a lot of money. It is very upsetting to put in so much work and then see it destroyed by vandals.

"This motiveless attack will end up costing taxpayers more money."

It is now completed, and reads: Maurice McNamara 40 years of service. It also includes a floral clock, similar to one Maurice had always dreamt about creating on Accrington's King Street roundabout.

Maurice was said to be upset by the attack, but conceded that flower beds are often targets for such incidents.

He joined the old Accrington Council after leaving school at 15, and introduced hanging baskets to the area as well as designing many of the unique flower arrangements which have appeared around the borough.

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