A lorry and its trailer struggling to get through a small village in Pembrokeshire caused chaos this week after it demolished memorial benches leading to anger and frustration from locals.

The incident happened on Tuesday morning in St Florence when the lorry travelling through on its way to Lydstep, turned right in the village past the old Flemish chimney, hitting the side of two houses, and causing damage to the properties.

After reversing back up the road, the driver allegedly forgot to put the truck’s handbrake on it has been claimed, which resulted in the vehicle rolling forwards and smashing into the memorial benches.

During the calamity, which went on for over three hours as the lorry tried to manoeuvre its way through, a wall was also partially damaged.

Selina Hughes of West View who witnessed part of the incident told the Observer: “I was down at the shop and I came back from the shop in my car.

“A fella said you can’t get round there because there is a lorry there.

“I saw the lorry in the wall and from then on he was trying to get out and reverse and he just couldn’t do it!

“They then got him to reverse back up the road, after three hours to the Parsonage Inn.”

Mrs. Hughes said the residents of St Florence have pushed Pembrokeshire County Council to put a sign at the top of the village to stop HGV’s (Heavy Goods Vehicles) from coming through.

“Years ago my husband was on the community council and they fought to have a signpost at the top of the village to stop heavy goods vehicles coming through the village,” she explained.

“It is down to the council through not putting a sign up to stop it (the HGV’s) from coming down.

“We are fed up of going out there to see the traffic coming through when these lorries are coming down and it’s obvious that they (PCC) are waiting for someone to get killed or hurt before they do anything,” continued a worried Mrs. Hughes.

“Other people in the village have been trying as well, they just don’t want to know!” she added, with her husband stating:?“They (PCC) haven’t got the money to do it thats what they said - which is rubbish!”

The memorial benches which have been in place for many years are there to commemorate residents of St Florence who have passed away.

One was in remembrance of a lady’s brother, and another for a resident who was killed in a nasty accident, explained Mrs. Hughes.

“The family of those don’t know about it yet, they are going to be devastated,” she remarked.

When ask to comment a spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “Although we aren’t aware of requests to erect HGV advisory signs at St Florence, this can be considered.

“However, such signage can only provide information.

“It is not regulatory and cannot stop the drivers of HGV and other delivery vehicles accessing the village if they need to, and it cannot prevent driver error.”

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police added that an investigation into the incident was ongoing, after officers had been called to scene at around 11.30 am on Tuesday, leaving an hour later.