ENRAGED residents have blamed “mindless vandals” after animal sculptures installed in a park for Radcliffe in Bloom were discovered headless.

Families were left disgusted after the life-sized silhouettes of a fawn, deer, rabbit and squirrel at the junction of Higher Ainsworth Road and Grindsbrook Road were damaged.

The figures, one-of-a-kind creations created by Superior Signs in Taylor Street, Bury, are believed to have been vandalised over the bank holiday during the night of August 24.

Yvonne Dale, of Higher Ainsworth Road, said: “We used to love seeing these sculptures out of our window and it was a lovely thing for the children — we saw many kids come down and notice them.

“I can’t believe senseless vandals would do this. They must have bent the heads backwards and forwards until the metal completely sheared away.

“The animals were put there because the council thought they would be appreciated by the community, but they look ridiculous without their heads.

“It may have seemed a joke to people walking past after a night out, but it has really spoilt this for everyone in the area.”

A council spokesman confirmed the silhouettes had now been removed, but said it had not yet been decided whether they would be replaced by alternative pieces.

Radcliffe councillor Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for environment, said: “I am both furious and disappointed that vandals have ruined a scenic spot in my home town.

“These were special, one-off sculptures placed in the park for Radcliffe in Bloom, and unfortunately they cannot be repaired.

“It's a shame that a small minority of people feel they have to spoil things for the vast majority in the community.”

The metal silhouettes were erected across the borough for Bury in Bloom and Radcliffe in Bloom.

Another — a large crow which was perched on the spade on Bury Bridge — has gone missing.

And damage to a concrete tennis table at Whitehead Park, which was cracked and broken three days after being installed, has also left council chiefs fuming.

Cllr Isherwood added: “Yet again, a small minority of people think they have the right to spoil things for everyone else.

“This was not some impulsive act — this was a concrete block that was bonded into the table, and it would have taken six hefty people to lift.”

Anyone with information on any of these acts of vandalism should call Bury Council on 0161 253 5353.