INFORMATION is being sought from Budleigh Salterton residents after a decorative pot belonging to a floral group was smashed.

INFORMATION is being sought from Budleigh Salterton residents after a decorative pot belonging to the town’s floral group was smashed.

A disappointed Pat Prew, chairman of Budleigh in Bloom, is appealing for anyone to contact her who may know how the ornament, placed in Mackeral Square, at the bottom of Fore Street Hill, became damaged.

The large pot was destroyed sometime last Thursday afternoon or evening, October 28.

Pat said: “As the item was rather heavy, we are presuming that it could have been caused by a vehicle going over the kerb somehow.”

The damage comes after the Budleigh in Bloom group worked tirelessly hard in arranging floral displays and beds ahead of this year’s South West in Bloom contest.

Their endeavour was rewarded when it scooped the 2010 gold award in the Ayre Cup category. It was the second year running the group has landed the prize.

Bob Flowerdew, former presenter of the BBC Gardeners World television show, presented the award at a special ceremony in Bath.

East Budleigh was also awarded gold. The village triumphed in the Mary Marimer Mortimer Trophy section.

The event was hosted by the chairman of South West in Bloom, along with representatives from the RHS, their main sponsors Viridor and the chair of the Britain in Bloom judges.

Recalling the joy of the ceremony, Pat said: “A grand day was had by all.

“Thank you to everybody who continues to support us and all of the helpers, without whom we would not be able to reach the standard necessary to gain the gold.”

Anyone with information about the smashed flower pot, call pat on: 07980 593739 or e-mail patprew55@googlemail.com