METAL thieves are taking funds away from ‘valuable community groups’ and projects as councillors attempt to secure gates in Helsby.

Parish councillors are planning to spend more than £1,000 replacing and securing wrought iron gates which have been targeted by thieves over the past few weeks.

The money, which is left over from the funding pot for the village’s first aid course, had been set aside for projects to help to improve the community but will now be spent safeguarding the village from metal theft.

In the coming weeks the 11 hanging gates in the village will be welded with flat bars in order to deter thieves who removed iron gates from the children’s play area behind the Robin Hood Hotel last month.

The gates, which were uninsured against theft, will now cost the council £485 plus VAT to replace with identical gates so that the popular park can be secured in the evenings.

Helsby Parish Clerk Janette Hughes said: “We are trying to secure the existing 11 hanging gates from thieves. It is a great opportunity to use the unspent budget to safeguard assets in our village from theft. We will not let this happen again.”

The metal bars will cost £385, plus VAT to secure the 11 gates a measure which comes after three gates where stolen from Helsby, Alvanley and Tattenhall in just two weeks.