STAFF at a York museum today told of their anger after vandals wrecked a prize-winning garden.

Workers at the Royal Dragoon Guards Regimental Museum, in Tower Street, were devastated when they arrived at work yesterday morning.

They discovered that the popular museum's garden, named a runner-up in the Floral York Awards just two weeks ago, had been wrecked.

Curator Alan Henshall said yobs destroyed more than £100 of flowers when they struck over the weekend.

They knocked over and ripped out a 25-foot display of flower boxes, which will now have to be removed.

Mr Henshall, 48, said he was angry that something which brought joy to other people had now been ruined.

"Everyone had been commenting on how good the flowers looked this year and now this has happened," he said.

"The whole display is completely destroyed and will have to be taken away. It's mindless and I am very angry about it.

"I wish that people who want to channel their energy could find some other direction.

"It's so frustrating that something that was developed for the good of everyone has been wrecked."

John Coombes, Floral York Awards organiser, said: "This was an extremely eye-catching display and the judges were very struck by it.

"It was a very creditable entry and the building was certainly looking the best I had seen it. It really brightened up that particular area.

"I am most upset this has happened because I was full of admiration for an entry which was very good and did so well."

Updated: 11:22 Tuesday, September 18, 2001