A DEVASTATED granddaughter is refusing to back down after heartless vandals uprooted a memorial bench for her granddad twice in a week at Ackers Pit.

Nicola Faizy, from Latchford, paid £450 for the bench in memory of Frederick Tyreman, who died aged 88, on November 25.

The bench made its way to the scenic site on December 23 to help Fred's memory live on at one of his favourite places where he would often take Nicola and the family.

After being uprooted and dragged into the pond almost two weeks ago, Stockton Heath Parish Council chairman Helen Dutton was horrified to discover the bench again displaced last Wednesday.

The parish council organised for it to be put back in place following the first incident, and even though vandals again pounced before the concrete could set the second time, there is hope that the bench will return.

"I was at work when I found out what had happened to the bench - I was heartbroken," said Nicola.

"They have gone all out, even after having it put back, they have dragged it out again - I think it is the same people.

"The place where the bench is, is where he would always take us and he went fishing there and so there are a lot of memories.

"I don't want them to get to me but I am just worried that they could do it again. But I am hoping to get the bench put back."

Fred would have turned 89 last Tuesday but instead of reminiscing over the magical moments he shared with his loved ones, the family have had to endure a nightmare past two weeks.

Cllr Dutton admitted an emergency meeting concerning Ackers Pit could be arranged amid concerns over the shameful conduct by the vandals.

"Whoever did it was determined to get it out of the ground," she said.

"My feeling is that they are not going to give in but Nicola is quite keen now to put it back in the same place where here granddad used to go."

The bench is currently away from the site but is set to return to Ackers Pit in the near future.

Anyone with any information should contact police on 101.