A VANDALISED and unique public bench in Winchester has been replaced.

The semi-circular bench at Hyde Abbey Garden has been restored almost a year to the day that saw one of the destroyed by vandalism on August 19 last year.

The replacement follows a large number of public donations and support from Winchester City Council.

Leading the way has been the Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden who say they are delighted to announce that the curved oak benches are now back in the side chapels of the memorial garden.

The bench was built to the original design by specialist carpenters, David Hayden and Rob Lyons.

The Friends welcome members and volunteers to help maintain this tranquil space, created in 2003 as Winchester’s Golden Jubilee Project to commemorate the great church of Hyde Abbey. It was here where the remains of Alfred the Great, his wife and son, were finally laid to rest in 1110.