KNITTED decorations that were specially created to mark Romsey Festival have been vandalised and some parts stolen just hours after they were put up.
Five knitted bollard decorations were taken from the community-run project on the night of June 30 from bollards around Romsey town centre.
The impressive works of textile art were created by volunteers to coincide with the festival, which takes place until July 16.
Bollards around the town were decorated with intricate and colourful woollen flowers, animals, and natural scenes, in line with this year’s theme ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’.
Unfortunately, less than 12 hours after they were put up, several of the knitted pieces were vandalised or stolen.
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Some of the affected pieces included a New Forest pony and an elephant, a seagull, a pair of pigs, a football scarf, and another bird.
The crocheted seagull that has gone missing was created by the Jenna Marie Foundation to promote their charity.
Trish Foreman, who organised the community art project, found the vandalism ‘particularly upsetting’ as the 67 sleeves took around three to four months to create.
"The people in Romsey really love this initiative," she explained.
This is the sixth year in a row the town has organised a ‘yarn-bombing’ to brighten up the environment.
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They have previously decorated the town for the Jubilee, Easter, the Art Festival and Coronation, plus more.
A similar case of vandalism occurred last year when entire sleeves created to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee were stolen.
Trish said this latest theft has really upset the community - but added that it would not stop them from doing it in future.
She said: "We can’t let that type of thing stop us from making an effort."
Luckily after an appeal on Facebook the elephant and the pony were found and returned to their bollard.
The Yarn Bomb Project is a collaboration of different knitting groups as well as keen knitters from across the area.
For more information, message Trish on Facebook.
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