A PERSHORE councillor was "bitterly disappointed" when she discovered a hanging basket at the gateway to Pershore had been stolen.

Councillor Val Wood, was told about the theft of the two hanging baskets by Pershore Bridge on Tuesday morning after last seeing them herself on Sunday.

She said: "There were four hanging baskets at the entrance to Pershore. How horrible is somebody to do that.

"It's disheartening to think someone cares so little for the town and efforts of others and will go to some quite considerable trouble to take them presumably for resale."

The baskets are financed by Pershore in Bloom with the aid of donations from Pershore Civic Society, Rotary, Chamber of Trade and Pershore Market Town Partnership.

After winning several gold medals for Pershore in Bloom the committee shrank to three people, Cllr Wood, Cairns Boston and David Hughes, who have succeeded in obtaining enough to cover the cost of providing the baskets annually with the aid of donations.

David Moule, of Mill Lane Nursery, provides the baskets, with a large discount, and the costs of watering are paid by the town council.

"For next year two more metal baskets will have to be purchased in addition to the filling with plants and any assistance would be much appreciated," added Cllr Wood.

Anyone with information on this incident should contact the police on 101.