Residents have spoken of their disgust after vandals stole and set fire to a specially crocheted Platimum Jubilee post box topper.

Cheryl Higgins created the topper for the post box in Marshall Street, Rainham, and put it in place on Friday last week, ready for the Jubilee celebrations.

By Sunday it had gone, and its burnt remains were later found in a nearby garden, prompting an outpouring of anger from those who appreciated Cheryl's efforts.

"I popped my crocheted topper out on the Friday evening and soon noticed it had disappeared," said Cheryl. "After a friend posted about it on FB it seems it was seen on the Sat but gone the Sunday and was found in a neighbouring garden having been set fire too.

"I've been decorating the postbox on Marshall road since Dec 2020 during lockdown and have been able to happily leave my makes on the postbox for people to enjoy.

"My makes were often posted about on the local pages and seem to be enjoyed. There's even a note on the lampost next to the postbox from someone thanking me so it's a real shame this one was vandalised."

Cheryl's friend Serena Allan took to Facebook to praise Cheryl's efforts and slam those responsible for destroying the work.

"Another fantastic effort by Cheryl on Marshall Road!! Bravo! The only problem is that, having been installed at the weekend, it promptly disappeared. Deeply disappointing. Shame on you, whoever took it."

And many other residents echoed her sentiments.

"Oh no, I saw it once and wondered where it had gone, how very sad," wrote one. "What a beautiful thing. Thank you for making such our street so cheery, I'm so sorry not everyone can treat things with the respect they deserve."

Another added: "Sadly I saw the remains of this near my house in Marshall Road at the weekend, looks like it had been set fire too. What is wrong with people, made me so angry when I saw this, my kids loved seeing the crown on top of the post-box."

"It's so beautiful," added another. "I wanted to love the post and cry as it's such a shame someone took it away from the community to enjoy. It doesn't take away from the kindness you exude and the joy it brings us here so I'm going to focus on that. Thank you."

One resident even came up with a novel idea for punishing the culprits, adding: "whoever burnt it should be made to sit on the top!!! Bring back the stocks!!!"