A KNITTING group in Bridge of Weir has thanked people for their help after outdoor yarn displays were ripped apart by mindless vandals.

Members of Bridge of Weir Woollen Wonders were dismayed to discover their spring-themed installations, placed on a postbox in the village’s Main Street and a tree in Livery Walk, had been destroyed on Saturday night.

However, several residents came to the rescue in the early hours of Sunday morning by collecting the materials that had been dumped on the ground to ensure their safe return to the group.

Angela Locke, founder of Bridge of Weir Woollen Wonders, said she greatly appreciates the support received from villagers.

She told The Gazette: “I was sad and disappointed that someone had ripped the items down but it was so great that they were collected at 1am and kept safe overnight.

“The response on Facebook has been really lovely, as people have been so kind with their words and encouraging us to keep going.

“We’ve nearly fixed the displays, so they should be back up in the next few days.”

The 10 members of the group, whose ages range from their 30s to 60s, have been creating ‘yarn bombs’ – a type of street art made from colourful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn – since October last year.

Angela said: “We first made displays for Remembrance Sunday, as people couldn’t commemorate the way we normally would because of the restrictions, so it was a way to pay our respects while staying socially distant.

“We’re now trying to bring a bit of colour and fun to the village and the plan is to keep growing the group and involving the community more.”

Police confirmed they went to Main Street, Bridge of Weir, in the early hours of Sunday morning after receiving a report that three large planters had been knocked over by youths.

Officers found the contents had been spilled but none of the pots were damaged.

Damian Kane, head of community policing for Renfrewshire, said: “If anyone has information about the identities of the people who behaved in this manner, please report it to the community policing team by calling 101.”

To find out more about the Bridge of Weir Woollen Wonders group, visit www.facebook.com/BoW.Woollen.Wonders.