A TYNEDALE phone box used as a plant and book swap has been vandalised.

In a joint collaboration between David Pass and his partner Annie, who run the Refill Station in Hexham, and Pixie Jewels, who runs Plant Swap Hexham, they set up a plant and book swap which is housed in the red phone box on Hencotes.

They had bought it off Allendale Forge Studios, who had helped to pay for the phone box's refurbishment.

It started operating last month, and proved popular, receiving many donations.

But last week, it was vandalised.

David said: “It’s just frustrating that someone would go around and do something like that.

“We found out on Sunday. We were up in Bamburgh for my kids’ birthday. It put a bit of a dampener on the day.”

David thanked Pixie and Alan from the Grateful Bread who tidied the majority of the glass up on Sunday.

Another kind volunteer helped David tidy the rest.

They are now waiting for the new pane of glass to arrive.

David also wanted to thank the many people who have got in touch with offers of help.

“We have had so many offers of people willing to help and we had lots of people offering to clear it up,” David said.

“It was much appreciated.

“Everyone has been really frustrated at the fact that it has happened.”

He added they are happy for people to carry on using the plant and book swap.

“We are just concerned that the books might get a little damp but the pane shouldn’t be too long.”

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "On Sunday, July 4, we received a report that a red phone box, used as a community asset, had been vandalised.

"Enquires are on-going into the incident. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police quoting log NP-20210704-0683."