IT'S heartbreaking for anyone who has toiled to see their work spoiled by some selfish halfwit.

Members of the Firs Park User Group are livid this week after spending hours in the winter cold preparing the community for a brighter spring.

In order to raise cash for crocus and daffodils, they stood out at a car boot sale, then spent a freezing November day planting their bulbs, with the help of the youth group, park rangers, junior rangers and local children.

They dibbed in a massive 6,000, and hoped that both the park and the community would benefit.

They also wanted to show that there are some people who care for the upkeep of their area, and try as hard as they possibly can to make it a better place for everyone.

Then all it takes is ONE thief, yes thief, to trundle thoughtlessly along. Last Thursday a woman in a blue coat was spotted around 2pm picking three carrier bags full of unopened daffs.

No doubt she was preparing to sell her ill gotten gains at a car boot sale.

All I can ask is why didn't somebody stop her? I know it's a bit too late once they're picked but . . .

Anyway, any would-be flower thieves be warned. You're being watched. So keep off the plants, and have a thought for others.

And please user group members don't be put off replanting for next year because of this one thoughtless act.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.