This story about vandalism prior to a Remembrance service was making the headlines in the East London Guardian ten years ago this week.

An appeal has been launched to catch those responsible for vandalising Leyton War Memorial Gardens at the weekend.

Nearly 300 plants surrounding the monument in Coronation Gardens were ripped up on Saturday night just hours before a planned Remembrance Sunday service at the site.

However, staff from council contractor Kier managed to repair the damage early on Sunday morning just in time for the ceremony.

It is not known whether the vandalism was deliberately intended to disrupt the Remembrance service.

Council leader Cllr Chris Robbins urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the police.

He said: “This act of cruel wanton vandalism is an utter disgrace and we want the community’s help to track down the idiots responsible.

“This sort of behaviour has no place in a civilised society and it is only thanks to the hard work and dedication of our parks team that the service was able to go ahead as planned.

“If anyone has any information about this terrible act of vandalism, please let the police know so we can bring those responsible to justice.”