THE recent spike in mindless vandalism that has seen the destruction of council flower baskets across Chorley must be stamped out immediately if we are to keep our town a pleasant place to live.

Flower baskets and public gardening works help create a sense of pride in any town and are enjoyed by all residents young and old.

It is such a shame, therefore, that it only takes the criminal behaviour of a few individuals to ruin it for everyone else.

I sincerely hope that whoever caused this thoughtless destruction is caught and appropriately punished.

May I suggest that such punishment includes a public community service to clean up the town by not only repairing plant pots but by scrubbing graffiti off walls and picking litter.

Perhaps such a punishment will make them think twice before vandalising our town again.

Paul Nuttall, Chorley UKIP MEP