THE team behind the regeneration project at Hermitage Park in Helensburgh have been boosted by a £1,000 donation from an anonymous donor.

The Friends of Hermitage Park have been working for more than two years to re-design the popular green space in the town centre but have faced several difficulties along the way.

The Advertiser reported last week that a six-foot memorial tree worth £500 which had recently been planted had been stolen – the fifth theft since the project began.

READ MORE: Memorial tree stolen from Hermitage Park

The park’s new pavilion has also been vandalised, while benches and waste bins have been damaged, leading to calls for better security measures.

Fiona Baker, chair of the Friends, said further funds would be invaluable to the volunteer group and appealed for community support.

She said: “We do have some CCTV measures ready to go in once the electricity is turned on for the whole park.

“Cables have been laid all around the park as, whilst we don’t have enough money for an elaborate CCTV system, we did put the infrastructure in.

READ MORE: 'Don't let bad beat good' plea over Hermitage Park thefts

“We have taken this approach to the redevelopment in a number of areas where we don’t have the funds for the finished item, like the bandstand or fountain plaza, but we have done the necessary work under the ground to enable these things to happen later when we raise more money.

“CCTV in the park would benefit everyone and we hope would help protect the park from further theft and vandalism.

“We appeal to the people of Helensburgh to make a small donation and together as a town we can protect our park.”