Vandals left behind a trail of damage at a popular green space, including defacing a memorial bench.

Hythe Green was targeted by the hooligans who left the area strewn with wooden stakes and stained with spray paint.

An investigation has now been launched by police, while locals have been left shocked by the damage.

Splattered with blue paint, the bench was placed on the site by the Hythe Dementia Awareness Forum and was funded by donations.

Following a Facebook post condemning the vandalism by the Hythe Green Preservation Society, there was a strong reaction on social media.

Commenting on the social media site, one user said: “That is so sad when people are working hard to make it a lovely place. Disgraceful!”

Another said: “So sad. We worked very hard to raise money for this bench so that our friends and their carers could sit quietly.

“How could anyone do this?”

While one simply said: “Vile behaviour.”

A spokesperson for police said: “We were contacted on the morning of Saturday, March 30 and it was reported that a bench and fencing in Hythe Green had been damaged.

“The damage is believed to have been caused between 7pm and 9pm on Friday, March 29.”

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area, or who has any information, should contact the police on 01843 222289 quoting reference 46/52035/24.