Residents at Woodside View and Woodside Crescent, Boothtown, Halifax, called their community garden their "oasis."

But last week they were angry to discover the spotless lawns, shrubs and flowers had been deliberately ruined with weedkiller.

Vicky and Dougie Robertshaw, of Woodside View, helped transform the overgrown area into one of Pennine Housing's award winning gardens.
Mrs Robertshaw, 50, said: "This area is called the oasis of Boothtown. It's our pride and joy.

"For five years we have built it up and spent our own money on it.

"We know someone has deliberately attacked it with weedkiller because we could see footprints around the lawn's dead patches.

"We are gutted."

Mr Robertshaw, 56, spends three days a week tending the patch.
He said: "Neighbours ask why we bother when people spoil it like this. I don't know what kind of kick they get out of it."

Pennine Housing 2000 is helping Mr and Mrs Robertshaw repair the vandalism.

Inspector Pete Smith, of Halifax neighbourhood police, said: "The damage reported is being investigated.

"We would like to appeal to anyone with information about the damage to report it to police."

Courier Comment