A WELL used bench which mysteriously disappeared over night has now been found.

The seat on Epping High Street next to St John's church was used by elderly people waiting for the bus, but they were left confused when arriving at the spot to find it gone.

The town and district council had no idea where it was, but now, some light has been shed on the matter after the Guardian investigated.

The bench was removed from the spot by district council officers, to be repaired after vandals damaged it.

A spokesman from the district council finally found out where it was and said: "It will be installed after it has been repaired."

But those who regularly use the seat might still have trouble finding it because it is to be put back in a new location.

The spokesman added: "Following advice from the police and Epping Forest District Council Safer Communities Team, the bench will be moved closer to the bus stop and not opposite the Speakeasy Bar. This will help the police to target any anti-social behaviour."

Robert Bell from the Speakeasy Bar said the bench had caused him nothing but trouble and hoped it would not be replaced at all.

He added: "It's a hanging out point for kids outside my bar. We had some kids drinking outside and so I asked for the bench to be moved. It was a hang out for delinquents and they were also using it for skate boarding."

Ivy Robinson, 84 from Epping was angry the bench had gone.

She said: "I wonder if the Speak Easy wanted it moved so they could put more tables and chairs out there. Next time I come from Tesco I'm going to sit down on one of Speak Easy's seats and when I'm asked to move I will say no, I'm sitting here because the bench has been taken away.

"It's well used and I see old people and young children waiting there all the time. People use it to wait for the bus and the seats in the bus shelter aren't easy to sit on for elderly people."