Metal thieves caused £2,000 of damage to a newly refurbished drinking fountain, while stealing just £5 of lead.

Final touches are being put to the 102-year-old drinking fountain in Warley Woods following a restoration project costing £74,000.

The 20ft Edwardian fountain has been restored on site and a tiled gothic canopy had been put back and the stonework cleaned and repaired before the vandals struck.

Warley Woods Community Trust said it was a shame that the newly repaired site attracted vandals before work was even completed, but added repairs have now been carried out.

Trust manager Viv Cole said: “It is a shame that while something was old and tatty it was ignored.

“The thieves stole just £5 worth of lead, but created £2,000 worth of damage by breaking tiles and the cost of bringing back scaffolding.

“Luckily this was covered within the cost of the project, but if it happens again, repairs will have to be paid for from donations to the charity.

The restoration has been paid for through various grants and donations, including £2,000 in financial gifts from members of the public and money from the Landfill Tax Scheme.

The work has been designed and overseen by Matthew Faber, architect of Brownhill Hayward Brown and the main contractor was Linford-Bridgeman.

For more information call the trust office on 0121 4201061.