A PUB landlord says saboteurs could be at work after his prize entries in a floral competition were killed off - for the third year

running.

Doug Patchett, 64, pictured right, says he is devastated after weed killer was poured over his newly planted hanging baskets.

In two separate incidents his lawn was also ruined and a wall seat stolen from outside his pub, the Crown Inn, in Addingham.

Mr Patchett said: "It is just out and out vandalism. It is not the first time. It is done on a yearly basis but this is the first time they attacked the baskets. Now the basket growing season has gone."

Mr Patchett, who runs the pub with his business partner, Maureen Milner, said he believes somebody is trying to scupper his chances in the Addingham Allotment and Garden Association best village frontage competition - in which the pub scooped first prize last year.

He said: "I have no idea who it is. It is a vendetta that somebody has got against me."

Alan Haigh, secretary of the allotment association, said the pub had been targeted on a number of occasions by vandals.

"I have no idea why this is being done," he said. "It is a great shame because Mr Patchett puts a lot of work into his pub frontage - he always puts on a lovely display."

The landlord has grown to expect the saboteurs and even went so far as to install security cameras at the front of his pub.

But the vandals coolly attacked baskets at the side of the watering hole, which were out of the range of the cameras. A large scratch has also appeared along the side of Mr Patchett's car.

Ilkley Police said they are not aware of the weedkiller incidents but are investigating the theft of a bench table. "We are aware of some men removing a hanging basket from outside the pub but that is all. However, we are looking into the theft of the bench," said Inspector David Drucquer.

He added that if someone has been pouring weedkiller on the baskets it would be an offence of criminal damage and asked that anyone with information regarding the incidents contact Ilkley Police on (01535) 617096.

Now, Mr Patchett is warning other people to be wary against similar attacks. He said: "People should be more vigilant."

(31-27-AM)