VANDALS may have put paid to the launch of Worcester's controversial £400,000 millennium fountain project.

They broke into a control box at the Quayhead Fountain and began running the pumps without any water.

This caused the electrical system to burn out in one of the pumps which feeds four of the 13 jets of the feature, near Copenhagen Street.

"We just did not need this at this stage," said Chris Dobbs, landscape architect at Worcester City Council. "We were going to test it on Monday and we had a quick test on Friday. It was all going extremely well."

The fountain was due to be tested later today to see if it could still be run without the damaged pump.

"It will only have nine jets instead of 13 and will not look as impressive, but at least we'll be able to launch it on the day," said Mr Dobbs.

Alternatively, the city council could postpone the launch for anything from a few days to a later date in the New Year.

Mr Dobbs said he wanted meet the date scheduled for the launch - Tuesday, December 18 - because preparations for fireworks and dancers had already been made.

The attack by vandals, who struck on Friday, was the latest blow to the project, which has suffered a number of delays.

The original plan to revamp the riverside space at Copenhagen Street was unveiled in November, 1998. It was abandoned in favour of a cheaper scheme when Labour lost control of the council last year.

The fully-operative fountain is made up of 13 jets, each six feet apart and set within a new paving design.

The jets will vary in height and the three variable speed pumps will provide two static positions, followed by a five-minute changeable display every 25 minutes.

Each jet will be able to reach a height of 8ft and will be lit from below with low voltage spotlights.

Water will be continuously re-circulated through an underground chamber.

The project cost around £400,000, which was made up from Lottery grants and a £60,000 contribution from Worcester's millionaire benefactor Cecil Duckworth.

The city council has reported the vandalism to the police, who are investigating.

"If anyone witnessed the crime or has any information about it, they should contact Worcester Police on 01905 723888, or they can give information, anonymously, to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111," said a police spokeswoman.

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