Rotary club members have repaired an iconic charity wishing well feature at a Weymouth beauty spot after it was attacked by yobs for the first time in three decades.
Melcombe Regis Rotary Club completed the repairs to the feature at Greenhill Gardens after the well was vandalised and charity money stolen.
In the incident, which was reported in the Echo and Dorset Police are still investigating, the group damaged the structure and stole money from the collection box inside.
The well was one of the club’s first projects and collects around £600 per year from people throwing money into it with all proceeds raised going to local charities.
Commenting on the repairs, former Rotary club president, Bill White said: "A short while ago, thieves seriously damaged and stole cash from the well, but within days, club members immediately rallied round, repairing the structure, re-laying the brickwork and replacing the ironwork.
"The interior collecting box was renewed and the locks made more secure: ready for the summer collecting season.
"It is felt that the best answer to the vandalism and theft is to repair and make good immediately, to act as though the set-back had not occurred and members of Melcombe Regis Rotary Club wish to concentrate on the positive benefit to the community that this familiar feature contributes.
"So, it’s back to business and on with the show."
Mr White added that all cash was collected from the well very frequently, stressing that a stronger collecting box had been installed to deter thieves from breaking it.
Rotary club member Paul Tindall, who was club president when the well was installed, said the club was "shocked at the mindless vandalisation".
He described the incident as a "sad indictment of society".
A Dorset Police spokesman said that it happened some time between 4pm on Tuesday, July 3 and 9.30am the following day.
They added that investigations were still ongoing and no arrests had been made in connection with the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police quoting occurrence number 55180104081.
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