Anger has been expressed over orchestrated vandalism in West Kilbride which has resulted in two benches being damaged.

Audrey Kolon, who lives in Portencross, was shocked at the level of determination used by the 'scumbags' who carried out the destruction.

She said: "The bench was one of 12 which the West Kilbride Civic Society placed around the village, and on the beach path, at not inconsiderable expense.

I'm pretty hacked off at the mindless waste."

The benches were installed around a year ago, but Audrey said within the last fortnight, some of the benches have been dismantled.

Audrey, who is secretary of the Civic Society, continued: "Our chairman George Donohoe spotted it a week ago, and the benches have been pulled apart, someone has gone with a wrench or a hammer - this isn't just kids fooling about. This has been orchestrated.

"Tools were used, and it has been decimated. I have reported the matter to both North Ayrshire Council and the police.

"One of the vandalised benches is on the beach by the golf course, where the path runs adjacent to it. I don't know why people would go and do something like that - I just can't understand the mentality of it. The benches are here to benefit everybody, so why would somebody do something like that? A lot of effort has gone into getting these benches, and it is just so sad that these scumbags come along and ruin it for everyone."

Audrey also pointed that rubbish has been dumped next to the burn between Kirktonhall Glen and Seamill, with old bedding, cushions and even a guitar dumped at the spot.

She said: "This was lying at the old bench, and five minutes later the same guys had thrown it down the bank towards the burn!"

Audrey has also taken part in an initiative earlier this year to mark out dog dirt at Portencross after putting up around 60 flags at the turn of the year, to make people aware of the problem, and attempt to shame the dog-owners into doing something about it.

If anyone can help concerning the vandalism, or has seen anything suspicious, please contact the police by phoning 101.