RESIDENTS are blooming furious over raiders who attack their local park at night.

Householders in Padiham formed a Park Watch group to help keep the town's Memorial Park looking bright and beautiful. They kept an eye on the flower beds to combat the growing problem of vandalism and theft.

But in two night-time raids, thieves took 400 blooms, leaving the beds bare.

"Whole rows have just disappeared," said conservationist Mrs Hazel Rushton.

"It is heartbreaking and robs the people of Padiham of lots of pleasure."

Pensioner Mrs Rushton, a member of the Protect Padiham and Environmental Forum groups, said the Watch team linked with council park rangers to protect the gardens throughout the day.

"We know these people have come after 9pm at night and we will be keeping a special watch in future," she said.

"We think they are stealing the flowers to sell on at car boot sales."

Burnley council parks chief Vincent Gradwell said theft from parks was an increasing problem throughout the country.

He said: "It is not just bedding plants. Shrubs, roses and all kinds of things are taken and mostly we just cannot afford to replace them."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.