An ex serviceman has criticised the site of a new remembrance memorial in a Telford park, claiming it looks like a “job half done.”

Bob Jenkins, of Stirchley, said he was disappointed to find the memorial in Telford Town Park surrounded by weeds and wildflowers. It was unveiled in May, before soldiers from the Rifles Regiment marched through the town at a special Freedom of the Borough ceremony.

Telford & Wrekin Council, however, said the plants were meant to reflect how flowers grew on a battlefield and work was still in hand.

Mr Jenkins, 52, a father of five, said: “Having only just visited the new borough memorial in Telford Town Park, I was dismayed to find it already surrounded and almost completely obscured by weeds and wild flowers.

“Did we run out of cash to provide a gravel surround and stone edging?

“Can’t grounds staff at least trim around it? For goodness sake. It was a great idea and fine in all other respects but if we’re only going to do half a job, then why bother at all?

The former Royal Military Police officer said: “Really, it should not be surrounded by weeds like that. I would have expected a gravel or granite base. The wreaths are laid on the footpath.”

The memorial, which stands on the edge of the Town Park arena, commemorates all those from the borough affected by conflicts, past and present.

Mr Jenkins  said the memorial itself, created by artist stonemason Malcolm Sier at Jackfield  was a “nice little memorial”.

Russell Griffin, Telford & Wrekin Council, spokesman said: “The work that needed doing in the area of the remembrance memorial was completed earlier this week.

“However, it is worth pointing out that the plants around the memorial are intended to reflect how wildflowers would have grown on a battlefield.

“Additionally, the memorial is not yet completely finished and some of the plants are there as a temporary feature.

“The memorial is shortly to be further extended with the erection of a stone plinth.”