A WIDOWED pensioner has called for an urgent security review after a spate of cemetery vandalism culminated in flowers being taken from his wife's grave.

Former builder George Holt, 76, of Brownhill Avenue, Burnley, spoke of his disgust after the plants were taken along with kerbing from other graves nearby.

He discovered the theft on his daily trip to Burnley Cemetery, Rossendale Road, to visit his wife Joan's grave.

Joan, who worked as a nurse at Burnley General for most of her working life, died last September after battling with cancer.

Mr Holt, a father of three, said: "I was so shocked I just didn't think anybody would be so cruel as to do something like this.

"There has been a spate of thefts around here but nobody seems to be doing anything about it.

"It is so upsetting, one lady who was visiting a relatives grave was absolutely devastated when she found out her flowers had been stolen.

He added: "I am a pensioner who doesn't get much money. I spend every day at the grave making sure it looks nice. I bought the plants earlier in the week for £25 and now they are gone.

"The cemetery has replaced them with a few small plants but that isn't the point. I feel very angry that this has happened and that nothing seems to be being done to prevent it."

Mr Holt is calling on the cemetery to step up security following the theft, last Thursday. He added: "If it means having a guard on all night then that is what should happen.

"These thieves don't care about people's feelings and who they are hurting. I know that if my wife is looking down now she will be devastated to see what has been going on."

Burnley Council's Rosegrove with Lowerhouse councillor Marlene Disley, said: "I have not heard of anything recently but if anybody is experiencing problems then they can contact me and I will do my best to help."

Sergeant Andrew Carter said: "We have received various reports of intermittent spates of thefts. The last report we had was when around £900 worth of side stone was stolen from the cemetery.

"We have also had a report about a theft of flower pots and an ornament. At the moment stone theft is rife but it is very hard to detect."

He said a crime prevention officer would be contacting Mr Holt to give him some advice and that police would consider treating stonework in the park with Smart Water, a security measure which allows officers to trace stolen items.

Simon Goff, parks services manager, was today unavailable for comment.