Vandals have "sunk to a new low" by destroying a golden gnomes on a roundabout in Ilkeston in support of childhood cancer awareness month.
The latest offering to appear at the roundabout in Nottingham Road - dubbed Gnome Island by locals - was first spotted on Monday September 22.
However, just a week later the display, which included golden gnomes, dogs and even a Buddha, had been smashed to pieces and the roundabout littered with pizza boxes and wine bottles.
Tony Mitchell, 48, of Stanhope Road, Arnold, is a project manager at Bowmer and Kirkland building services who are working near to the roundabout.
He said: "People are trying to make the island a focal point, something to talk about, but it is always the same - the gnomes are put out and before long they have been smashed, pinched or damaged.
"It is a real shame, when I saw the roundabout on my way to work last Monday it looked absolutely smashing with the creatures, characters and golden ribbons.
"There was a sign with a number on which people could text to donate to a children's charity - it really is a new low that vandals have targeted it this time."
The roundabout first attracted attention in August when garden gnomes mysteriously began popping up at the green space.
Since then, Facebook and Twitter pages have been set-up in the ornaments' honour and have attracted more than 4,000 followers between them.
An "Ilson Gnome's Master Plan" along with a petition have also been created in a bid to official rename the roundabout Gnome Island and also have a huge concrete gnome installed on the site.
Mr Mitchell, who put up posters to help track the gnomes when they first went missing in August, believes the council will have to step in to prevent further vandalism.
He said: "If the council get involved then they will be able to put up CCTV cameras which would hopefully prevent people from spoiling it for everyone else."
Mr Mitchell had wanted to use one of his company's CCTV cameras to keep an eye on the gnomes but feared it would not be practical as the cameras are motion sensitive and would focus on the moving traffic instead of the ornaments.
This latest bout of vandalism has caused a stir on the Ilson Gnome Facebook page with nearly 70 comments. Neeky Noo said: "So sad. Our daughter was so upset to see the smashed gnome when we passed. Even worse was she knew why they were there and we have a friend fighting terminal cancer, so it really made her sad."
Patricia Ann Bullock also commented: "What a shame! Needless, heartless vandalism."
