MINEHEAD’S ambitious new Eastern Esplanade enhancement suffered a setback last weekend when vandals rampaged over the newly-made flowerbeds, destroying plants and trees.

It was hoped to transform the area in time for this year’s main summer visitor season but now displays will be marred by gaps caused by missing trees, mainly pines, that were snapped off by vandals and which cannot be replaced until autumn.

The work, which forms part of the Enterprising Minehead project, includes landscaping, planting and lighting to make the area more vibrant and create a space with year-round appeal for residents and visitors.

It is project-managed by the new Somerset West and Taunton Council and steered by the Minehead Coastal Communities team.

A council spokesman said: “The contractors had adjusted their compound over the weekend in order that completed sections could be made available to the public, and the vandals took this opportunity to attack the new trees.”

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