'MINDLESS idiots' have trashed a memorial garden in Blackbird Leys Park dedicated to three women who devoted their lives to the estate just days after it opened.

The incident at the garden, which was completed on March 25 in memory of Val Smith, Barbara Gatehouse and Carole Roberts, took place near the end of last week.

Ornamental grasses have been uprooted and gravel strewn across the path, with newly-planted daffodils trampled underfoot and cans littering the spot.

The garden was opened by Andrew Smith MP - Mrs Smith's husband of 39 years - after more than 12 months of planning by Blackbird Leys Parish Council.

Mr Smith, whose wife passed away in May 2015, said: "It's such a lovely garden. Who in their right mind would want to spoil it?

"This is particularly dear to me but I would say the same about any of the city; if I see anyone vandalising it they will be straight in the hands of the police."

Lemonade cans and plastic bottles were also dumped on the site, leading to the assumption the culprits were children or teenagers.

Mr Smith said: "I don't think children are ever to young to treat private property, especially a garden of remembrance, with some respect.

"There are sadly mindless idiots who will vandalise anything nice, but they cannot destroy the memory the garden stands for."

Officers from Oxford City Council's parks department are set to replant some of the grasses in the coming weeks.

The pink-flowered hawthorn tree in the centre of the garden and the three memorial benches, hewn by disadvantaged adults at nearby Raw Workshop, are intact.

Scores of residents turned out to the official opening of the garden and helped plant flowers and shrubs.

Parish council chairman Gordon Roper said: "So many people have said how nice it is to sit there for 15 minutes watching the kids play or sitting in the sun.

"It is very disappointing. We worked hard to get this done. Obviously they were youngsters but they could see it's a memorial by reading on the back of the seats."

Appealing to young people in the area, he said: "If you know who has vandalised it, please have a word with them and say 'please leave it alone'.

"It could be that their parents knew Val and the others. It's about respect for councillors who fought for them to get things on the estate that they enjoy."

Mrs Smith, Mrs Gatehouse and Mrs Roberts all represented the Leys for Labour on the city and county councils and served as Lord Mayor of Oxford.

Their families were also present at last week's launch and another memorial for Mrs Smith, at the Dovecote Project in Greater Leys, will open this month.

Mrs Gatehouse’s daughter Kay, who lives in Headington, said at the opening that her mum would have been ‘thrilled’ by the tribute.

She added: "When other people couldn’t see the positive in the estate, she always supported it. She had faith in people."

Resident Brenda Walton, 71, also attended to pay tribute to her friend Mrs Smith.

She said: "Val would have loved this, she would have loved the grasses. Something like this is permanent in remembering Val and others."

Residents in Blackbird Leys took to Facebook after last week's incident to condemn the 'disgusting' behaviour of a 'minority' who had tried to ruin the space for others.

In 2011 and 2015 yobs were also chastised for tearing up tree saplings planted in Blackbird Leys Park.

It is understood that a dog walker has gathered up some of the damaged plants from last week and taken them home to look after ahead of replanting.

The matter has not yet been reported to police, but managers at the Leys Pools and Leisure Centre in Pegasus Road have been asked by the parish council to review the two CCTV cameras facing the site.

Anyone with information about the culprits is asked to email bblparishcouncil@gmail.com