VANDALS destroyed a memorial to a dead Newport woman just hours after it was built by her family and friends.

Lucy Wilson was 23 when she died two years ago of a rare liver infection she contracted after working in India.

On Saturday friends and family gathered on common land in Bassaleg to erect a willow arch memorial designed by lifelong friend Katy Thomas.

Dozens of people, including Lucy's parents, Julian and Jayne, spent all day making the arch in Caerphilly Road.

But just hours after they finished on Saturday evening it was torn down and destroyed by vandals.

Katy, 24, who returned to Wales from her home in Exeter to make the arch, said: "We were worried that vandalism could happen but we would never imagine that people would act like that.

"It was a long day and a lot of energy went into it. Everybody was really proud to be involved."

Katy, who has an art degree, took a course in basket weaving to learn the techniques to make the arch for her best friend.

The former Bassaleg School pupil, who now teaches arts and crafts to adults with disabilities, added: "The reason for doing it there is because it was our community, where we grew up as children.

"It is sad but it is still a tributethat we got together to do it."

On Sunday morning Katy did her best to repair the memorial but was unable to restore it completely.

Lucy's mother said as well as a memorial to her daughter the arch was something for the village to enjoy.

"We half-expected it to be vandalised but not so soon. I feel very sad about it. We hoped people would have more respect."

Katy's mum, Helen Thomas, added: "They found it pretty soul destroying, and it looked lovely."

Graig councillor Margaret Cornelious said she was "surprised and horrified".

Police are investigating .