THE revelation that an elegant old building such as County Hall is being vandalised by its own staff is a damning indictment of the disrespect in modern society.

Lancashire County Council bosses have had to issue a memo to all employees pleading with them to help preserve the building for future generations after a spate of damage and thefts.

The smashed mirrors, bashed walls, stolen radiator valves and tap tops -- even yoghurt pots dumped on the bannisters -- are the sort of things that occur in many workplaces.

But that doesn't make it right and when your workplace is such a wonderful, ornate building, the lack of respect is amplified.

And what then, does that say about the way we treat the rest of our old buildings?

Let anyone who has so much as stuck chewing gum under their desk hang their head in shame today.

Because it is actions like that, the thin end of the wedge, which have led to such disrespect taking hold.

John Raven, head of property at Lancashire County Council, rightly says the headquarters of the fourth largest county council in the country should be a flagship for the county, respected by both staff and visitors.

His position is backed by the unions -- and should be supported by all of us.

For not only are these wanton acts destroying our heritage but they are also costing us money -- with the bill for repairs hitting thousands of pounds.