A CASH-strapped charity has been left devastated after vandals smashed up trays of plants and vegetables bought for an allotment.

Mencap Stanley Road project, part of The Royal Society of Mencap, which deals with adults with learning difficulties, had sold pottery at the Guildhall only a fortnight ago to raise funds for the plants.

Day users of the centre were going to plant the flowers, sprouts, cabbages, tomatoes and lettuces at their allotment in Worcester.

The vandals, who also overturned tables and damaged a fountain, are thought to have struck between 8pm on Tuesday and 8am on Wednesday.

"I came into work to find 24 trays of plants all over the place and lots of pottery smashed," said Wagg Ellis-Jones, a project worker for the charity.

Mr Ellis-Jones said the wreckage had been cleared up before the residents had a chance to see it.

The culprits broke a lock on the gate of Mencap, Stanley Road and kicked the gate in.

"I'd rather not say how I feel about this, but it's irritable, to say the least," said Mr Ellis-Jones, of The Arboretum, Worcester.

"We're absolutely cash-strapped at the moment."

Jan McLagan, manager of the Worcester Mencap site, said the charity had limited funding and the cost of the plants, valued at around £100, were outside the budget.

"When we try to do something outside the budget, we have to raise our own money," she said.

Anyone who wishes to donate plants to the charity should telephone Mr Ellis-Jones on 01905 360050.

Anyone who can assist police with their enquires into the incident should call 08457 444888 quoting 93S/280503.