SPIRITED residents helped replant a willow tunnel after heartless vandals destroyed another just one days after it was installed.

Coggeshall Parish Council invited residents to help plant the new tunnel, in a park in Stoneham Street, after the shocking discovery was made on January 6 - eight day after it was planted.

A parish council spokesman said: "We would like to say an incredible thank you to everyone who helped to replant the new willow tunnel in the little park.

"The vandalism was reported to the police and they are looking into it and a PCSO came out to help with the replanting.

"But we are incredibly grateful that so many members of our community came together to help put this back and so quickly.

"This park is for young children and many were excited to see the tunnel back and were subsequently disappointed when once again it was ruined.

"A shout-out also goes to The Chapel Inn who provided coffee to the volunteers after their hard work."

The willow tunnel was paid for by the parish council and it's hoped this time the vandals will leave it alone.

The spokesman added: "While it was a shame that the previous tunnel was destroyed, the new one is an improvement thanks to the willows grown just for this purpose, and it is much more robust.

"We would ask that people still treat it with care as we hope it will last for years to come for many children to enjoy."