A community sculpture carved by children to mark the turn of the millennium has been destroyed by vandals.

Community leaders say they are disgusted the roadside artwork situated between Bainbridge and Hawes, in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, has been attacked.

The 8ft sculpture was carved in 2000 by local children, with help from artist David Gross and advice from local pensioners.

It had four revolving arms, each with a carving of either a bird or a ram's head on the end representing the local wildlife and farm animals. At the hub was a leaping salmon.

The vandals who struck on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning smashed the carvings and bent the arms.

District councillor Yvonne Peacock, from Bainbridge, condemned the attack.

She said: "I'm disgusted and appalled at what they've done.

"This was built by the local community and they've come along and ripped it to bits.

"I would urge anyone with information on who did this to call the police."

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority planners were initially reluctant to grant planning permission for the artwork, described it as 'incongruous' and 'alien'.

But Paula Greear-TaylorCOR, a youth arts manager for North Yorkshire County Council who co-ordinated the sculpture project, said the local community and tourists had grown to love it.

"People now look out for it and we only ever get positive feedback," she said.

"Whether the vandals felt they couldn't relate to it or whether they were just larking about, it's a real shame.

"This was built by their own community and, in a way, they're destroyed a community symbol."

The county council has pledged to repair the sculpture if possible.

Five other sculptures were created by the Connecting Youth Culture Project, as part of a North Yorkshire millennium sculpture trail from Filey to Tan Hill, in Arkengarthdale.

The trail includes a wooden seal at the seaside resort, with inter-linked rings on the roadside near Kirkbymoorside, a giant hand at Thirsk School, a seat at East Cowton and another carved windmill at Tan Hill.

All the other sculptures are still standing.

PC Dave Cousins, from Richmondshire police, is investigating the vandalism.

He has urged anyone with information to contact him on (0845) 6060247.