Vandals damage bloom attraction

Many of the plants in the car died as a result of the vandalism

A car planted full of flowers to highlight car crime and deter would-be car thieves has been vandalised.

Police and council staff put the seized Vauxhall Vectra on the central reservation of St Augustine Road in Leicester two months ago.

It was part of the city's Britain in Bloom entry.

But hundreds of plants have now been destroyed and the car attacked. Organisers said they were disappointed.

The car was originally confiscated by police before being made into a display.

'Soul-destroying'

The offenders bent the bonnet in half, broke the supports, jumped up and down on the roof, as well as breaking off its mirrors and snapping of the windscreen wipers some time over the weekend.

The plants under the bonnet died due to lack of light and being snapped or squashed.

Other ones in the boot were trampled.

Designer Stuart Marbrook said: "They've actually jumped up and down on the roof, caused some severe creases in it. They've bent the bonnet over right down to the radiator.

"Generally all round the car we've had to replant 400 plants this morning. I can't believe it, it's been soul-destroying for all the people who've worked on it as well."