A HAYES ALLOTMENT that has long been a target for vandals has been covered in graffiti paying tribute to young motorcyclist Chad Stickley, much to the dismay of plotholders at the site.

Debbie Clare, 44, of Albion Road, visits the Wood End Green Allotment, in Wood End Lane, regularly with her 64 year-old mother Patricia Biggs, to tend to their plot of vegetables, and upon arriving at the allotment last week, they discovered the vandalism.

Written in bold black lettering on the site's sheds and polytunnels – plastic greenhouses - were the words "R.I.P Chad Rest in Peace" in memory of the 18 year-old, who died after being knocked from his motorcycle in Cleveland Road, Uxbridge, on February 19.

In January, money was taken from one of the site's sheds after burglars broke through the tile roof, and this latest incident is a cause of further concern for the plotholders.

Mrs Clare said that she was sympathetic to the tragedy but felt that the graffiti was in "bad taste", and done without forethought for the people who take so much pride in their patches.

She said: "It's just terrible what happened to that boy, it must be so awful for Chase's family.

"We feel the grief from the local community but feel this is in bad taste.

"My elderly mother loves her allotment, it gives her a new lease of life, but it is just one thing after another here.

"Her shed was broken into last month, and her polytunnel was destroyed recently. Now her shed is covered in black spray paint and she is really upset.

"She can't bring herself to go back there; when she first saw all of the graffiti, she said that she felt like putting a match to the place.

"For some of the elderly people, it's the only reason they get up in the morning, and when the sun is shining it's such a pleasure to be out on the plot, but they are just distraught.

"Everyone here works so hard to maintain this peaceful space and it just breaks my heart to see it in this way."

Is this kind of graffit ever acceptable? Have your say on our forums