A CEMETERY targeted by vandals and thieves is to be monitored 24 hours a day.

A ranger is to be employed to watch over and live on the site of Keighley Road Municipal Cemetery, Colne, after a spate of attacks.

Pendle Council's parks department made the move after sickening incidents including an attack on a child's grave.

A security guard employed by external company Guardall Security has been patrolling the cemetery for the past six weeks.

But the council has now taken the decision to employ a permanent park ranger who will live in a house sited at the cemetery and take over surveillance duties. It is hoped the new ranger will help protect the graves from vandals like those who attacked six-year-old Cherie Hardy's headstone twice and daubed it with graffiti last year.

Wooden crucifixes were ripped up from nearby plots and slung at the headstone, while floral tributes were strewn across the grave and the words 'eat' and 'dirt' were scrawled across on the marble headstone. More than 50 headstones were knocked over and smashed by hooligans in another incident.

The cemetery gates are now locked at night and new fencing has been put up at the main entrance.

Dorothy Ormrod, a Nelson councillor, whose mother's grave was vandalised at the cemetery, said: "It's a relief to know that somebody will be patrolling the cemetery.

"I remember how upset I was at the time and I hope that nobody else has to go through that pain again."

A public meeting held in December discussed the problems of vandalism within the cemetery and decided that a Friends' Group should be formed to help the community to contribute ideas towards tackling vandalism as well as the cemetery's future development.

The first meeting of the group is to be held at 7pm, on Wednesday, February 19, at Colne Town Hall.

Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Rev John Goddard, said: "I would like to thank the council for taking the matter seriously but regret that this action is needed.

"I am sad that this is needed in this day and age.

"I do not know how some people can trample on the feelings of the bereaved without thought.

"I am positive that this will help put a stop to all the cruel vandalism that has taken place in the past."

Fred Stewart, council parks outreach officer, said: "We are determined to work with the community to do all we can to prevent any further repeat of the troubles that have occurred recently."