RESIDENTS have vowed they will not be deterred by attempts to ruin their town's chances in the Yorkshire in Bloom contest.

The Market Weighton in Bloom group was disgusted when it discovered plants and flowers on display in the town had been vandalised, uprooted and stolen.

All the plants were taken from troughs in Londesborough Road and Goodmanham Road and vandals damaged flowers, which had been planted in containers throughout the town.

Light-fingered thieves raided the town's flower bed in Scotts Croft, planted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, on Mother's Day.

Chairwoman Di Lamb said that this was not the first time the town's displays had been attacked.

Since the town started entering the competition in 1999, vandals and thieves have repeatedly targeted the town's exhibits.

She said it was very costly for the group to keep replacing the damaged and missing plants and flowers.

The Market Weighton in Bloom displays are mainly paid for by donations and sponsorship.

She said: "The churlish people who do this spoil it for local businesses and residents. We enter the Yorkshire in Bloom competition to brighten Market Weighton up and make it a town to be proud of.

"We are a small group and we work tirelessly to make the town look nice for everybody. We are not going to be deterred by thieves and petty vandals."

The group has contacted the police, who are keen to hear from anyone with information about the thefts or acts of vandalism.

Market Weighton has enjoyed plenty of success in the Yorkshire in Bloom contest in the past.

Last year the town was the outright winner in the summer judging and came third overall.

They also came joint first with Pateley Bridge and Dunnington in the small country town category in 2001 and won third place overall.

The spring judging for the contest took place last Monday.

Updated: 10:56 Saturday, April 19, 2003