A BENCH used by the elderly as a welcome resting place is being removed because the district council says it has been taken over by drunks.

Waltham Abbey Town Council has confirmed it is removing the bench in front of the White Lion pub, in Sun Street, on advice from Epping Forest District Council.

But the move has angered elderly people in the town who insist they need places to sit down when they are out shopping.

Terry Hutt, the chairman of Waltham Abbey Pensioners Action Group said: “People are really angry to think that the council could remove the bench without a substitute. Are we supposed to sit on the ground?

“I take people out and if they're disabled I have to walk them from bench to bench because they need a place to rest.

“My wife has had a hip replacement and if you saw her struggling about you'd see she needs a bench.

“They say they're doing this because of problems- they've been there for years. It's up to them to sort it out. We want that bench reinstated. If there's a problem with the pub move it somewhere else.”

His wife Sheila added: “It's obvious that we need benches. You go to Waltham Cross and everywhere else and there's benches. They don't seem to want them in Waltham Abbey.”

Recreation and amenities manager Ken Coates said: “I've been advised by Epping Forest District Council to take it away for crime prevention because of nuisance being caused by drinkers coming out of the pub and using the bench.”

Mr Coates said moving the bench would not be practical as it was attached to a concrete base and would be damaged during removal.

A spokeswoman for Epping Forest District Council said: "The bench belongs to Waltham Abbey Town Council and not EFDC. The decision to remove, repair etc will be one of WATC's."