TWELVE decorative planters in Accrington town centre have been vandalised by yobs in two weekend attacks.

Police and council bosses are now investigating the incidents on Friday and Sunday night in Broadway.

Bulbs and soil were thrown from the planters, creating an “abysmal mess”.

Early shoppers were greeted with the aftermath of the incidents on Saturday and yesterday before it could be cleared.

The planters are run and maintained by Hyndburn Council and were first put in place after the refurbishment of the town centre in 2005.

They form part of Hyndburn’s “floral market towns” initiative.

David Allonby, Hyndburn’s head of environmental services, said: “The plants were vandalised over the weekend, with the bulbs and soil being taken out and thrown on the ground.

“Our gardeners have been out and have salvaged and reused many of the bulbs.

"We’ve also reported it to the police who are studying CCTV in the area to find the culprits.”

PC Rob Flanagan, Hyndburn Part-nerships officer, said: “This has been reported to us and we are reviewing CCTV footage as part of our investigation.”

Hyndburn Council is attempting to get the planters back to their best in time for the Easter weekend and the royal wedding, when the town centre will be hosting a series of events.

Coun Dave Parkins said: “Twelve of them from one end to the other have been wrecked.

"It is just such mindless vandalism. On Saturday morning the scene in the town centre was abysmal.”