Appeal for information after Grimsby park statue vandalised

The lion is one of two that have stood by the gates of Weelsby Woods since 1951

A councillor has hit out at "mindless acts of vandalism" after extensive damage was caused to a park over the weekend.

The face of a lion sculpture was defaced and offensive language spray painted in Weelsby Woods in Grimsby.

The two-tonne stone sculpture is one of a pair that have stood at the gates of the park since it opened in 1951.

Its partner was badly damaged in April after being hit by a car being chased by the police.

Repairs are being carried out to the damaged sculpture which was smashed off its plinth by the collision.

The remaining lion had paint sprayed on its back, eyes and forehead.

North East Lincolnshire Council said the park's cafeteria had been vandalised and paint daubed on the steps of the new Garth Lane Bridge, the fifth time it had been vandalised since it opened less than three years ago.

One of the statues was damaged in April when a car being chased by police crashed into it

Councillor Stewart Swinburn appealed for information about the vandals

"We are currently assessing how we can remove the paint and restore the lion back to how it should be," he said.

"We will have to repair the steps at Garth Lane yet again. These are mindless acts of vandalism, and ones which will cost us financially to sort out."

Humberside Police is investigating the attacks, the council said.