IN MARCH, a Ledbury trader was wondering how people could be so mean, after her new hanging baskets were instantly vandalised, and now, just two months on, she is marvelling that people can be so kind.

Leanne Rex, of Mrs Muffin's Tea Shop in Church Lane, said she has been "overwhelmed" with kindness after her new floral displays, hanging baskets, troughs and sprinklers were rippled apart and ruined, two months ago.

Speaking this week, Mrs Rex said: "How people have been since then has just been lovely.

"Two people have even sent me money in the post, which I immediately put into the Acorns collection box, as you do; but what a lovely gesture."

Mrs Rex has also been visited by a former chairman of Ledbury in Bloom, Gareth Morgan, who popped in to show his support.

Now the hanging baskets are looking blooming lovely again, in the time for the height of the tourist season and the Heart of England in Bloom judging day, later this summer.

The cobbled Church Lane, with its view of the medieval spire of St Michael and Angels Church, is one of the most photographed streets in Ledbury, if not in England, and it is a popular scene for calendars.

The attack on the floral displays in March were called "malicious' by Mrs Rex, at the time, and "disgusting" by Mr Morgan.

Not only had plants been ripped up and stolen, the pipes to the watering system had been snipped through and the watering system had been taken too.

Mrs Rex said the system would have been of little value to anyone.