Two months ago it was the historic St Michael's Parish Church. This time around it was the tranquil surroundings of the popular Rose Garden, which is located near to the church.

Vandals targeted the Rose Garden on last Monday, July 7, when they destroyed flower beds and smashed bottles of cheap alcohol. Around 100 bedding plants were ripped out and strewn across the ground and the area was littered with bottles, cans and broken glass.

Also on the same night in the Peel area, two commemorative trees were targeted with branches snapped. It is believed a number of youths were seen in the Peel area that afternoon.

Since the vandalism, Historic Scotland has taken the decision to close the entrances to the Rose Garden at Market Lane, Kirkgate and the Peel, to members of the public nightly from 5pm.

An Historic Scotland spokesperson said: "It is with great regret that we have had to go back to locking the palace Rose Garden at the end of each day after vandals pulled up around 100 new plants, mainly geraniums.

"We want people to have as much opportunity as possible to enjoy the Peel, but this kind of destruction makes it very difficult. Sadly the same vandals who attacked the rose garden on Monday also pulled branches from nearby tress which people had planted in memory of their loved ones."

The spokesman added that this was not the first time incidents of this nature had taken place, saying: "Earlier this year two Historic Scotland vehicles, which had been parked overnight, had their windows smashed while last year there was also damage to the Rose Garden."

He added: "All the incidents have been reported to the police and we would encourage anyone with information about who has been responsible for these actions to contact the police so they can be dealt with."

editorial@jorunalandgazette.co.uk