A MEMORIAL bench which was wrenched from its concrete base at Dixton Church overnight on 25th July has been found, after a crowd funding appeal raised more than £1,300 to help the family purchase a replacement.

The bench, which features a plaque with Mandi’s name, was put down in June in memory of Monmouth woman Mandi Morgan.

It is thought considerable effort was used to remove the bench from its location, as the legs had been bolted and concreted into the base.

The theft was condemned by Reverend Penny Powdrill, who said it looked like “someone knew exactly what they were doing and what they were taking”

A crowd funding appeal was launched soon after, which quickly surpassed the £850 target. The total raised now stands at £1,330.

On Sunday the bench was found - without its plaque - in a lay-by near Magor.

Tara Davies, Mandi’s daughter, said her family was “over the moon” to have it back.

“We have told everyone that has donated money that they are welcome to have it back, just to get in touch with us if they want it,” she said. “Otherwise we are use it to install the original bench and arrange for CCTV to be installed at the church to benefit other families as well as us, and donate the rest of the money to the church itself.”