A LOCAL community has rallied to thank volunteers who brighten up the area -= despite the best efforts of anti-social and unscrupulous thieves.

David Green has regularly tended to a garden area adjacent to Stanford House in East Tilbury and can often be seen tidying it, weeding and planting new flowers. He has worked alongside Cliff and Linda Musson who are also often seen hard at work.

However, he has reported that of late, someone has taken to stealing the new plants.

He took to social media to say: " I would politely ask whoever is stealing the plants from the grounds of Stanford House cease and desist. I buy those plants out of my own pocket. Furthermore many local people are kind enough to say how much they enjoy the display thus the perpetrator is taking from the community.

"I do not believe it is local children, the plants are not trampled on (in fact, the vast majority of the children are very respectful), rather they have been neatly removed. In the past few weeks I have planted geraniums, begonias and petunias.

"A couple of days after they are planted they are removed, the holes I dug are still there. These plants are targeted for the ease of removal plus they are always taken from spots inaccessible to the CCTV coverage. If you want plants to brighten up your garden, talk to me, do not just take. If anybody knows anything, please let me know."

In response dozens of villagers have responded with thanks to David and condemned the thieves, summed up by this quote: "Thank you for taking the time, effort and inclination to do this. It makes such a difference. There's something meditative about seeing you working on these green spots. Well done and good on you!

"I'm happy to help in any way I can... A small donation either in monetary or physical plant form.

"Please don't let whoever if doing this get your spirits down. However, I can imagine how frustrating it is. What your doing for the community is bigger than that and it is appreciated more than you realise.

"And it was a nice gesture to offer the culprit support rather than aggression."

David responded by saying: "May I take this opportunity to thank you all for the wonderful and extremely uplifting comments, it is truly overwhelming.

"I would also like to say that much of the praise should be directed at Cliff and Linda Musson. They have worked tirelessly and have achieved the incredible task of totally turning Stanford House around. The fact that I can work outside without hindrance or fear is totally due to their diligence and ceaseless efforts.

"Thank you all and, expressly, thank you Cliff and Linda Musson."