A DISABLED Weymouth tot whose beloved trampoline was wrecked by yobs is smiling once again.

Charity fundraisers and a local business have stepped in to replace Olivia Evans’s trampoline after it was slashed to pieces by heartless vandals.

Three-year-old Olivia is severely autistic and has communication and sensory problems and would bounce on the piece of play equipment as a means of self-expression.

The Littlemoor youngster was delighted to receive her new trampoline courtesy of the Weymouth Carnival Committee and Dorset firm Apple Larkin home improvements. They were among a few well-wishers who stepped forward to help after reading the story in the Echo yesterday.

Olivia’s mum Samantha Broughton said: “Olivia is over the moon that she’s got her trampoline back.

“This really restores my faith in humankind. It’s been hard for her since her old trampoline was vandalised, she just couldn’t understand why she couldn’t go on it any more.

“She was very upset and distressed.”

Elysia Munday, chairman of the Weymouth Carnival Committee, said as soon as she read of Olivia’s plight in Monday’s Echo she knew she had to help.

“Olivia has a severe case of autism and this trampoline was something she could let herself go on.”

She added: “We want to show the vandals that they cannot win.”

Michael McManus, trustee of the carnival committee, said the cost of the trampoline and money for a replacement swing chair is being split between Apple Larkin and the carnival committee.

He said: “I hope this makes them (vandals) think twice about doing it again.