VANDALS targeted the Farnham war memorial last weekend - just hours after the town came together to honour the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Poppy wreathes were removed from the memorial in Gostrey Meadow overnight on Sunday and thrown in bins, while nearby flower beds recently planted for Farnham in Bloom were destroyed and rose trellises thrown in the River Wey.

Wooden posts on Gostrey Meadow’s bridge over the River Wey were also kicked in over the bank holiday weekend, coinciding with the centenary commemorations of the first ever two-minute silence taking place in Farnham in 1916.

Farnham town clerk Iain Lynch said: “Vandalism of this type is fortunately rare in Farnham.

“As well as targeting the Squire’s Garden Centre and Farnham in Bloom anniversary flower bed, it was very distressing to see that the same group also disrespected the war memorial and placed in a rubbish bin a number of wreaths that commemorated those that had fallen in conflict.

“Carrying out such an act is unacceptable at any time but to do so on the centenary of the first two-minute silence, is something that has caused a lot of distress for many people. I would therefore like to thank the members of the public who assisted with tidying up the area.”

Members of the public helped clean up the mess caused by the vandals, retrieving the trellises out of the river and putting the wreaths back in their rightful places.

Judi Fisher, who noticed the carnage on Monday morning, told The Herald: “It’s a shameful thing to do especially after the hard work that goes into making this site so attractive. Pointless petty acts like this need to be countered and nipped in the bud.”

The vandalism also prompted an indignant response online, with many people taking to the ‘Farnham Rants’ Facebook group to condemn the “disgusting” and “disrespectful” act.

A spokesman for Waverley Borough Council added: “The council is extremely disappointed that the actions of a few inconsiderate individuals have spoilt Gostrey Meadow for the rest of the community.

“The incident has been reported to Surrey Police, in the hope that the people who did this are caught.

“The damage caused by the vandals has not only upset the users of the park, which won a gold award at the South and South East Bloom Awards 2015, but it also poses a risk to the public.

“The council will now have to foot significant costs to repair the damage to the bridge. The gaps in the bridge are being made safe until the council can find a specialist company to replace the slats.”