VOLUNTEERS have voiced contempt for the shameful behaviour of a thief who removed bedding plants from the side of the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

The young flowers, set in a small garden area over Gallows Bridge, near Skipton Bus Station, were stolen almost immediately they were planted by Mark Leeming and his friend, David Fitch.

Mark travels all the way from Leeds and David from Kelbrook, to work as volunteers on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal for the Canal & River Trust.

"It's hard to believe anyone could sink low enough to do that," said Mark. "They could have bought a whole box full for just £2 from Stepping Stones nursery in Aireville Park."

The two men were given the plants by Stepping Stones and Morrisons supermarket in Skipton. They also planted them in a small plot at the side of the canal near to Skipton Bus Station and over Belmont Bridge.

"We have set up these small garden plots to brighten up the area for residents and visitors. Skipton is the Gateway to the Dales and we want it to look good. Whoever did this won't put us off."

Mark later replaced the plants buying them from Stepping Stones. "I didn't want to ask for more donations because they had been kind enough to give me them in the first place - I thought it would be cheeky," he said.

Mark and David's usual task, along with the other volunteers who meet once a month, is to tidy up the canal towpath and remove rubbish from the water. The garden work is their own project.

Mark is now appealing to whoever took the flowers to show the better side of their nature and enjoy the plants' development over the summer.

Alice Kay, the Canal & River Trusts's volunteer leader, said Mark was a member of the task force which formed a vital part of maintaining the canal.

"There is so much work to be done in terms of litter picking to keep the towpath tidy and in removing fly-tipping. We rely on our volunteers and their work demonstrates community ownership," she said.

She urged other people to get involved in the volunteer work and anyone interested should email her at alice.kay@canalrivertrust.org.uk or visit canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteer.