THE donation of a new bench to replace a seat wrecked by yobs in Uffculme last month shows community spirit is alive and kicking in Mid Devon.

Vandals were blamed for dousing it with flammable liquid and watching it go up in flames, but kind-hearted funeral directors Mel and Ryan Squires have provided a replacement.

The Gazette reported that Highland Terrace residents were disgusted after the bench, erected for a severely disabled man, was destroyed on September 17.

Mrs Squires, who runs Tiverton and Cullompton-based Walter H Squires & Son with her husband Ryan, said: "They were really upset in case the attack was a personal thing, but I can't think for one second it could be because they are such a lovely couple."

Sylvia Polsford, 60, said her ex-lorry driver husband Don, 59, had used the bench everyday since it was presented to him when he began recovering from a stroke two years.

Mrs Squires said the bench has been replaced with a green metal alternative.

"We knew the couple and we thought it was such a shame when it happened because Don really loved that bench.

"I phoned them the day after I saw the story in the paper and I spoke with Sylvia who was really pleased we were working with Mid Devon District Council to get this sorted out as quickly as we could."

Mrs Polsford said the bench was replaced last Thursday but parts of the fence are still damaged from the fire.

She said she and Don were over the moon when they heard it would be replaced.

Mrs Polsford added: "It was very kind of them. Not everyone is prepared to come forward out of the kindness of their hearts to do something like this — Don is very pleased with Mr and Mrs Squires. She said she wanted to help and that was very kind of them."

Mrs Polsford said she hoped those responsible for destroying the bench could be found and be forced to replace it themselves.

But she says there is still time for the truth to come out.

"It had to be youths," added Mrs Polsford. "I don't know how their minds work but I am hoping and praying they won't do anything to the new one.

"We were hoping to have found out who did it by now but as the months go by someone is bound to let something slip.

"There are lots of OAPs who live further down the hill who were scared at the time.

"And if the youths are prepared to do something like this to Don what could they do to someone 20 years younger?" she added.