CRUEL vandals have burnt a memorial bench dedicated to a Llanelli soldier who died five years ago.

Friends and family of 18-year-old army signaller Michael Williams — who died on February 3, 2005, and went by the nickname of Titch — said they were disgusted to discover that the picnic bench placed in his memory at Swiss Valley reservoir had been vandalised.

His mother Diane Dhale, who now lives in Pembrokeshire, said the incident had left her heartbroken.

She said: "We are still so saddened to have lost our son in the first place — and now somebody goes and does this.

"I was away in London when I heard about this and I came home early as I was so upset.

"It's terrible — I just don't understand the meaning of it.

"Since he was a child he absolutely loved the reservoir and we always visit it at his birthday and at Christmas.

"Why would somebody do something like this — I haven't stopped crying over it."

Close friend Carly Myhill, aged 25, said she was devastated.

"His friends and family funded two benches at Swiss Valley reservoir after his death, as he really loved the place," she said.

"He used to spend a lot of time there and even now the place still reminds us all of him. When I was told of the vandalism I had to go up there and see it for myself — I was absolutely gutted.

"I can't believe anybody would do this — it's heartless and cruel — what must have been going through their minds?

"I cannot believe that anybody in this town would stoop so low — it was obvious that it was a memorial bench as it has a plaque on it."

The signalman, who lived with his family in Brynelli before signing up, was found slumped in his barracks kitchens with a blind cord around his neck.

Michael had been at Litchfield and Blandford Army Camp, Dorset, for a year and was just two weeks from finishing training when he died.

He was due to go to Germany and was looking forward to his first posting.

Memorial plaques on both benches read: "Happy times with Mike Williams (Titch), love always and forever. March 22, 1986 – February 3, 2005."

Carly, of Felinfoel, continued: "He was a very close friend which none of us will ever forget.

"For someone to do this is just awful. We still struggle to come to terms with the fact that he's gone and now this has happened."

chantelle.rees@swwmedia.co.uk