Wiltshire Wildlife Trust was left devastated after vandals burned down its gazebo in woodland on Swindon’s outskirts.

The wooden site had been used for community activities like carol concerts, pumpkin carving and events for people with mental health and wellbeing issues ever since it was built by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in 2016.

This Is Wiltshire:

A spokesman for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust said: “Barbecues and fires are not permitted but are becoming increasingly common, while other forms of antisocial behaviour have been widely reported, including littering, damage to trees and dogs running off leads disturbing both livestock and wildlife.

“We have been devastated to learn that the wooden gazebo at its St Julian’s Community Woodland on the outskirts of Swindon, had been burned to the ground in a senseless act of vandalism.

This Is Wiltshire: Credit: Dave CoxCredit: Dave Cox

“The local community has already sprung into action to create a fundraising campaign to replace this important community resource, and the Trust will look to incorporate a new metal design to make it fire-resistant.”

To help rebuild the gazebo visit: https://www.facebook.com/donate/264363507960738/10163586404255231/ or donate on the Trust website at www.wiltshirewildlife.org/st-julians-wood.