A CONSERVATION area that shares its name with its late creator has been targeted by mindless vandals.

Sometime overnight on Tuesday, September 2, a stolen wheelie bin was dragged to Kennedy’s Pond in Cotherstone, in Teesdale, County Durham, and set alight.

Log seating was also caught up in the blaze and the offenders removed wood from the dog stile and used it to stir the fire before throwing it, along with other litter and debris, into the pond.

Kennedy’s Pond is a picturesque wildlife haven that was created by Kennedy Dinsmore and his wife, as a place for villagers and visitors to be at one with nature.

When Mr Dinsmore died, in 2000, the space also became a sanctuary for his friends and family to come to remember him.

The Cotherstone community has been shocked and saddened by the vandals' “callous” actions and is calling for those responsible to clear up the charred remains.

A family member said the vandals were likely to have visited and enjoyed the pond before and had shamed themselves and their families.

She said: “They have callously just thought only of themselves with their very selfish decision to have some heat and light so they could drink and smoke."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Barnard Castle Neighbourhood Police Team on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.