Vandals wreck wedding gazebo

A cast-iron gazebo used by couples on their wedding days has been smashed by vandals in West Bromwich.

The stunning £6,000 structure is based in the gardens of the town's register office and is often the centrepiece of newlyweds' photographs.

Five benches around the intricately-designed landmark were snapped in half in the overnight wrecking spree. It is thought they lifted up a nearby manhole cover and smashed it down on the seats. The manhole cover has been replaced and the damaged benches are expected to be removed today.

But the benches may not be replaced amid fears they will be targeted again.

The eye-catching structure was only installed last year and was constructed by a specialist firm.

Registration services manager Paul Sheldon said all the staff at the register office were very disappointed about the attack, which happened on Friday night.

"We were lucky as we are always looking for ways to improve the gardens and we managed to get some funding last year for the gazebo," he said.

"It went up last August and we were thrilled with it so it is unfortunate that it has attracted the wrong sort of attention."

The picturesque memorial gardens are a popular location for weddings and other celebrations from families attending the historic register office.

Mr Sheldon added: "I think we may not go to the expense of having the seats replaced, as the feeling now is it might be better just left with the arches as a photo feature. There are other public seats all around there."

Councillor Pauline Hinton, deputy council leader and cabinet member for improvement and equality, branded the attack as "mindless vandalism".

"The gazebo was only put up last year at a cost of £6,000 and five iron seats that were made by a specialist firm in the north have been wrecked," she said.

"It is nothing more than mindless vandalism and the area has had to be taped off on health and safety grounds."

Police are investigating.