Civic leaders have issued a heartfelt thank-you to an anonymous benefactor whose generous £7,000 donation funded a new bus shelter in the centre of Sidmouth.

East Devon District Council said it did not have the budget to replace the original fire-damaged structure at the Three Cornered Plot, which was targeted by vandals on Boxing Day.

But thanks to a kind contribution by a community-minded resident in June, a new hardwood shelter is now in place – just in time for the South West in Bloom judging tomorrow (Saturday).

Councillor John Dyson, ward member for Sidmouth Town, said: “It is a wonderful gesture that this Sidmouth person has made to ensure that local commuters do not suffer needlessly as a consequence of the mindless vandalism that caused the original shelter to be damaged beyond repair.

“As such, the shelter will be a landmark example of the true community spirit that exists within the town.”

Members of the district council’s StreetScene team were busy fitting the shelter as the Herald went to press.

The Herald reported last month how the mystery donor said: “It’s hard to find good causes to give money to, but Sidmouth is a beautiful place and I love living here.”