THE deputy mayor of Oswestry has slammed the 'senseless' vandalism of a town tourist spot after Oswald's Well had a public bench thrown at it last weekend.

Councillor Jay Moore spoke out after the well, in Oswald's Well Lane, was attacked by vandals who damaged masonry around the well which, according to legend, sprung when when a great bird dropped the arm of King Oswald after his death at the Battle of Maserfield.

Cllr Moore called for people to draw on community spirit and report anyone who might have been involved in the vandalism, and offered himself as a person who someone could disclose information confidentially.

"First of all I must state how saddened I am to have had this happen," said Cllr Moore.

"The Well is of both historical and religious significance to the town, and for this level of damage to have been caused for nothing is truly terrible.

READ MORE:

"It's senseless, and it has upset a large portion of our town's population. I hope the people responsible are ashamed of their actions and realise the severity of what they have done.

The fact that this has happened in broad daylight on a Saturday afternoon is in some ways even more troubling.

"It serves to highlight the effects that budget cuts to our police force and youth provision have on our town.

"We cannot continue to have our services stripped to the bone without consequence.

"I would like to appeal to the community spirit of the people of Oswestry.

"Someone somewhere knows something, and if they wish to live in a town where these acts are not commonplace then it is up to you to come forward.

"Whoever you feel comfortable with – speaking out could make all the difference to our investigations."

Mark Hignett, from Oswestry Town Museum, added: "We were horrified at the mindless vandalism of such a historic site.

"We cannot comprehend what the people who did this were thinking, such a pointless act and one that has diminished all of the hard work that our councillors and community members have put in to make this area a nice relaxing place to visit.

"We are hoping that it gets restored in time for the many thousands of visitors who come to Oswestry every year,

Police have launched an investigation into the incident, according to Inspector Claire Greenaway-Evans, and has appealed for members of the public to contact them with any information.

She said: "It is upsetting to see that people can have such disrespect for our heritage, I would urge any member of the public who may have information about this act of vandalism to contact West Mercia Police via our website or 101."