A PICNIC site named after Bromyard’s twin town has been vandalised just days before an official visit.

Vandals smashed a picnic table and damaged the brick barbecue at Riverside Walk in Broadbridge early last week.

The barbecue was unveiled by the twinning society in 2010 to mark years of 30 friendship with Athis de l’Orne in Normandy.

The walk was also renamed Promenade d’Athis and a tree was planted at the site, next to the town’s allotments.

Supporters now face a race against time to make repairs as around 30 people from Athis will return to Bromyard this week.

Twinning association chairman Martin Ganderton said the vandalism was “one of those things” and suspected drunks.

The site is owned by Bromyard Town Council and should be cleared by the visit according to town clerk Mike Cresswell.

He said the broken bench would be removed early this week, but acknowledged that vandalism regularly takes place at the site.

“Certain people have been using the barbecue area for more than just barbecuing food,” said Mr Cresswell.

“It’s cracked a few of the bricks and last week they smashed up on the picnic tables and placed that on the barbecue.”