A DEDICATED volunteer was left crestfallen after vandals destroyed his hard work.

Cleveland Jones, from Buckley, has maintained the platforms at the town's railway station for a number of years.

As well as making sure they are clean and tidy, Mr Jones creates floral displays for the enjoyment of passengers and visitors.

But he arrived at the station on Thursday to find a wheelbarrow containing a flower display had been overturned and 'bashed in' and a window box had been pulled off.

The contents of the displays were left scattered across the station floor.

Mr Jones, who turns 80 in March, told the Leader: "I won't put anything back now, fixtures wise, because they just get vandalised.

"We've had hanging baskets ripped down in the past and I made a feature which was thrown on the tracks.

"I brought some tubs home and I have been panting them to make a Thomas the Tank engine feature, but I thought it won't be worth putting them back now."

Mr Jones is well known in the community for his voluntary work at the station and even received a certificate from the Flintshire Local Voluntary Association for his work in 2016.

Cllr Richard Jones, who put Mr Jones' name forward for that certificate, told the Leader the incident was saddening and called for those responsible to come forward.

He said: "If I get the CCTV footage I intend to publish it, that's if British Transport Police don't go ahead with any criminal investigation.

"I would hope those culprits come forward before their pictures are published.

"They can contact me on 07762820350 or email me on richard.jones@flintshire.gov.uk and I will give them an opportunity.

"I will arrange it so they can put right what they have done wrong.

"People really appreciate what Cleveland does and they recognise his voluntary contribution.

"It is something he does out of interest for the town to make it a nicer place.

"When someone does that for the community we need to be proud of it.

"It is really a shame that someone has destroyed part of what he does."

Buckley Resident Paul Davies, who came across the mess on Thursday morning, told the Leader he had reported the incident to British Transport Police.

He said: "It's such a shame, he puts such a lot of effort into it all year round and on a voluntary basis to brighten up the place."

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: "We received a report of criminal damage at 11.50am on February 28 at Buckley station following the damaging of flowerbeds.  

"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the offence is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 and quoting reference 160 of 28/02/19."

Geraint Morgan, community affairs manager for Transport for Wales said: “It is very sad to learn of the damage done to the floral displays at Buckley station, and we will work closely with British Transport Police to find the culprits responsible for this act of wanton vandalism.

“Stations are often key facilities in the community, where first impressions count. Our station adopters make a significant contribution to ensure unstaffed stations always look their best.

“By going that extra mile, their support helps ensure customers receive a clean, friendly and welcoming environment when arriving at stations, so seeing this vandalism at Buckley station is very sad.”

Anyone witnessing anti-social behaviour on railway property should contact British Transport Police by texting 61016.