THE 'MISERABLE creeps' who stole six hanging baskets from a bridge were slammed by the committee which organised the floral decorations.

Those who worked tirelessly to raise funds for the hanging baskets around Reading's town centre were appalled at the vandals who snatched them.

The florals went missing from Reading Bridge during the night of Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9 and are suspected to have been taken maliciously and dumped around the town.

Susanne Brackley, Reading UK CIC economic development manager, said: “Hopefully you've seen the floral displays on the bridges.

“These are organised by the local Reading in Bloom committee and unbelievably, we've had six of the hanging baskets stolen from Reading Bridge.

“The miserable creeps who have taken them, whether for “profit” or a “joke,” have completely undermined all our hard work in finding sponsors to fund these displays.

“It's not easy but we do it for all our residents to enjoy so if you're offered baskets or saw anything suspicious on Reading Bridge over the weekend can you let us know.”

Ms Brackley continued to explain that she believed the act was “dumb, pathetic vandalism” as the stolen hanging baskets were found scattered thoughtlessly around the town.

The flowers will soon be replaced as a florists have agreed to donate replacement hanging baskets, worth £350.

“Two were found on the tow-path," she continued.

“Cherubs Florists have kindly offered to cover the cost replacement and we'll just have to try and secure them better. We're currently trying to follow up the CCTV.

“There were six baskets which were vandalised. Three of them have been found smashed up.

“Another was found on the weir. We can only assume the other three are at the bottom of the river.”

Reading in Bloom was hit by the same vandalism three years ago as seven hanging baskets were stolen from Reading Bridge in 2014.