VANDALS have targeted fencing which runs alongside an idyllic river path in Winchester. 

The city council received reports from concerned residents on Tuesday, August 30 that a section of the wooden barrier parralel to The Weirs had been damaged. 

Council officers originally taped off the missing segment before crews returned to fit a plastic barrier shortly before 9am.

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The authority has been in the process of replacing the fencing for the past two years, and civic chiefs confirmed the broken section was one of the last to be upgraded under current plans.

A spokesperson said: “Winchester City Council responded to reports yesterday morning of vandalism to the fencing along The Weirs, which has now been cordoned off to keep the area safe for visitors and residents.

“The section of fence is one of the last sections to be replaced under the current works along The Weirs, of which the next phase of which is due to start imminently. Until the fencing is scheduled to be replaced, the damaged area will be kept sealed off.”