A COMMUNITY volunteer group has been hit by the theft of a key part of its project.

Residents have been working on an overgrown piece of land on the Aveley Recreation Ground for three years, it now includes an habitat for nature and wildlife, and a place for recreation and education.

The project started off with volunteers clearing rubbish and removing brambles and weeds, moving on to identifying and planting flowers and new trees.

A mural was also painted recently from ideas from local children and an Eco Bench was installed on Thursday, 16 April for the use of the community.

With educational projects also being implemented and discussed the grand opening took place on Sunday, 26 April during the St George's Day event on the recreation grounds but an important part was missing.

Unfortunately the Gems new bench had been stolen approximately between 6pm on Saturday (25 April) and 7.30am on Sunday.

Additionally thieves removed and caused damage to lots of the newly fitted surrounding fencing posts which had also been installed by the volunteers.

The theft has left a number of people in the local community upset and disheartened.

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The bench took a number of volunteers to move and install so a number of people would have been needed to take it.

The theft has also been reported to the police and the viewing of CCTV footage requested.

More details can be found on the group's Facebook page, Aveley's Hidden Gem.