VANDALS have ripped benches out of the ground in Westhoughton's Ditchfield Gardens.

The town centre haven has been blighted by vandals in recent weeks.

Westhoughton town councillor David Wilkinson has secured the repair of the benches and has reported the anti-social behaviour to the police.

He said: "It is a shame that some people treat our town centre gardens in this way.

"Hopefully we can get these benches repaired as quickly as possible and I hope that the police can take some action to put a stop to the anti-social behaviour."

Bolton Council has confirmed that it will fix the benches.