A COUNCIL will look at ways to fund extra security measures at cemeteries after 14 headstones were kicked over.

The announcement came after Coun Anne Scaife attended a preliminary meeting of Hyndburn Borough Council's portfolio holders yesterday to ask for more security staff or the installation of CCTV.

The news follows last Thursday's attack at Accington's Burnley Road cemetery and the vandalism of Dill Hall Lane Cemetery's Wall of Remembrance, in Church, the weekend before that.

"These are despicable and disgusting acts, we have to make sure this doesn't happen again," she said.

At present Guardhall Security, of Cannon Street, Accrington, is contracted by the council to cover all three of Hyndburn's Cemeteries -- Burnley Road, Dill Hall Lane, and Great Harwood -- from April to September.

Steve Todd, the council's Head Environmental Health, said that the firm augment police patrols and they cover the cemeteries when there are no staff present, but he said they cannot be there 24 hours a day.

Coun Scaife said: "I am going to ask if more money can be set aside to boost the levels of security that are seen at present.

"I feel that the people who are doing this are sticking up two fingers at us all.

"Or as an alternative we should look at CCTV, it would be a godsend if it was installed."

Steve Todd said: "We have contract with Guardhall Security to cover all three cemeteries during the times when there is most risk in school holidays and at weekends from April to September.

"They are there when there are no staff, but they can't be there 24 hours a day."