Tenby’s Deputy Mayor has said that she is ‘disappointed’ with people disrespecting the town’s War Memorial Gardens in recent weeks.

Speaking at Tuesday night’s meeting of the town council, Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown told her colleagues that she and many others had recently witnessed the gardens being ‘abused’ by people, including local dog walkers letting their pets run free, and families picnicking eating fish and chips and pizza in the grass.

“The war memorial gardens should be given the respect they deserve - if the gates are open or not,” she said.

“If it happens again, then we should name and shame! I’ve also heard of other instances over the summer where St Mary’s Church grounds had people having picnics in there too,” continued Clr. Mrs. Brown.

The town clerk Andrew Davies explained that the War Memorial gardens, listed in the top 10 ‘best kept; in Britain, used to be locked but when the new gates were put on, they were left open to allow members of the public to view the cenotaph.

He said that he’s discussed the matter with Pembrokeshire County Council and that it was felt that it was probably best to keep them locked and only open in November for the wreath laying ceremony for the Armistice Day service.

Clr. Tony Brown suggested putting signs in there to state no dogs or food were allowed.

“I feel they should be locked again, they always used to be, and if people need to access them, then they can come to the town council offices to pick up a key,” remarked the Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane.

“We don’t want something to happen in there that requires drastic action. There is no need for people to be in there picnicking!” she added.