A memorial bench in Liphook recreation ground was destroyed by vandals on Monday (July 31) evening.

The bench commemorated the former chairman of the Liphook United Football Club, Nigel Marr, described as a gentleman “who gave so much to the football club and the community”.

Jane Sawyer, Liphook’s parish clerk, said: “The football club will contact Nigel’s family and will try to put the bench back together – but it doesn’t look like that will be possible.

“This incident is really sad and the football club will be joining us at a committee meeting next week to ask for CCTV in the area.

“There is a real vandalism problem in Liphook, especially during school holidays, which is costing the taxpayer to fix.”