Floral arrangement put up by Oakham in Bloom volunteers, including hanging baskets, a manger and the floral fountain arrangement outside Oakham post office were attacked on Saturday night, causing £550 worth of damage.

A hanging basket in Northgate was thrown on the bonnet of a Volvo, causing a dent that will cost £200 to repair and a metal sign was thrown through the windscreen of a car in Melton Road causing £250 damage.

Oakham in Bloom chairman Maureen Dodds said: "I'd just like to get whoever it was and bang their heads together. I can't understand their mentality.

"This is mindless vandalism and it's time something was done to stop them."

The attack came just days after a visit to the town by judges in the East Midlands In Bloom competition.

In Bloom volunteer Teresa Thompson went out on Sunday to clear up the mess.

She said: "Thankfully it happened after the judging, but we don't just do this for the judges - we work hard to make sure the town looks good for everyone to enjoy."

Police believe a number of young people who were in the area of Victoria Hall may have seen something. The vandals might also have been caught on CCTV.

Sergeant Helen Lodge said: "Officers are studying CCTV footage to try to identify the people responsible and we will continue to patrol the town."

Witnesses should contact PC 4074 Sue Cockerill on 0116 222 2222.