A replacement bench dedicated to a long serving fire fighter will be installed after the original was smashed and thrown in a river.

At the beginning of September a wooden bench erected in memory of Peter Lupton was ripped out of its foundations in Cerizay Gardens, Ongar and thrown in the moat behind the library.

Appalled at the vandalism, on-call crew manager of Ongar Fire Station Daniel Hockley launched a fundraising campaign to have the bench replaced.

He said: “The bench was put in about six months ago and after the vandalism it was beyond repair.

“It had been completely trashed and chucked in the water down the back of the library.

“So far £250 has been raised through the Just Giving page which is enough to replace the bench.

“Ongar Round Table also gave £200 which will go to the Fire Fighter’s Charity.”

The replacement bench will be given a new, hopefully safer home behind the fire station.

It will continue to serve as a memorial for a long-term fire fighter and Ongar man, well known in the village up until his death last year.

Mr Hockley continued: “It is nice that the community has come together to get the new bench put in.

“Peter’s widow Margaret was quite worried that she wouldn’t be able to get a new bench for a few years, but within a couple of weeks it was sorted out.

“The bench is going to be delivered next week.

“It will be round the back of the fire station in the allotments where Peter used to garden.”

To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ongarfirestation