The town of Westport is preparing for the summer season to kick in, and their tidy towns committee, men’s shed and other groups are working to get the area ready for tourists.

Recently, some of this work has been praised and rewarded as Brendan Duffy, chair of Westport Men’s Shed, was presented with a certificate by Mayo County Council to mark his shortlisting in the Community Volunteer of the Year category at the recent All Ireland Community and Council awards.

However, the work of these groups has suffered a recent setback due to vandalism to some of the town’s flower displays last weekend.

Flower beds at the top of Bridge Street and at the Octagon area of Shop Street were vandalised, which will come at some expense to the town council.

Local Councillor Christy Hyland has condemned the actions, and has been giving information on where this case is at now to Midwest Radio’s Rian Bailey …