CHILDREN were left upset after vandals "totally trashed" their efforts for a much loved festival.

Madresfield Primary School pupils were saddened to find their Friends and French themed decorations adorning Temperance Well, Worcester Road, had almost been destroyed during the Malvern Well Dressing Festival.

It was one of two dressed wells which were attacked, with vandals also ripping down decorations created by members of Holly Mount United Reformed Church at Rose Gully on Saturday night.

Police said they received a report that teachers had left Temperance Well at 6pm last Friday but by 9pm it had been "totally trashed".

Kirsty Johnson, one of the festival's organisers, said they wanted to focus on the positives but were disgusted by the vandalism.

"It is absolutely disheartening. It really, really spoils it but we try and focus on the festival's success.

"Someone had tried to take a bicycle from Temperance Fountain but because it was secure it had fallen down.

"They've stolen an Eiffel Tower which a little girl had made and she was really upset about it.

"It's particularly disgusting because it was clearly children's work.

"A nice lady messaged me to say she was really upset someone had done that and she'd tried to put the bike back.

"Rose Gully was a very spectacular dressing.

"Someone has taken two flags but in the process of taking them they have broken a wooden support which meant all their beautiful organza strips which were hung from it has fallen into the water.

She said teams can spend months planning and creating their designs for the 40 springs, spouts and troughs which were this year given the theme of Friendship/L’Amitié.

"It can take many hours to create and the decorations at Rose Gully were very intricate, there was lots of detail.

"Overall the feedback has been really really positive.

"It's not going to dampen our spirits.

"It's tradition and attracts a lot of tourists, people come from quite far to look at them."

The well dressing festival celebrates the medieval tradition of dressing wells with offerings in thanks to St Oswald for water cures.

There was a silver lining, however, with both wells winning gold awards after being restored by volunteers.

Parent Suzannah Bliss said: "Temperance Well was found in absolute ruins with many of the children's contributions ruined or stolen.

"Someone had tried to steal the bike, the bunting was all cut and several pieces were stolen including a foil Eiffel Tower.

"It was a good thing that a few pieces were saved to put on Saturday for fear they would blow away overnight."

PC Dave Wise, safer neighbourhood officer for Priory and Malvern Wells, said: "A lot of hard work from schools, local groups and residents goes into the festival and it is disappointing to discover those efforts have been disrespected in this way.

"If it is the case the display has been ruined intentionally I would urge anyone with information to contact us on 101 or report in confidence to the indepedent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.