CALLOUS thieves have stolen a Leyland family's treasured memorial to their war hero dad, just months after his death.

Seventy-nine-year-old Edward Bibby, of St Clement's Avenue, Farington, died two months ago after a short battle against liver cancer.

To honour the old soldier his family clubbed together with neighbours for a memorial bench. The wooden bench was hand-made by a family friend and put next to one of Edward's favourite places -- the bowling green at Leyland British Legion, Haig Avenue, from where it was stolen on Monday night.

Edward's son, Trevor, of Mellor Road, Leyland, said: "He spent most of his life on that bowling green, and we are all very upset. My mum used to see that bench every day as she walked past. She would stop and spend a minute or two looking at it.

"On Tuesday afternoon someone from the legion rang my mother up with the bad news. She rang me and we went down and saw that the police were there.

"My mum was in a similar state to when my dad died originally. It brought it all back to her."

Edward, who worked at the old Bleachworks off Northbrook Road, Leyland, had been a member of the British Legion for around 50 years. He was a familiar face at Remembrance Sunday services and served in the Second World War on HMS Invincible.

At his funeral he was honoured as a hero by his Legion pals who gave him a send off with full honours. Trevor said: "When he died the British Legion came to the funeral and did the full honours with a Union Jack flag, putting it over the coffin. He was such a popular member of the Legion, and had been with them for around 50-years."

He said: "The bench was very heavy, I don't know how they took it. Hopefully getting the police involved will make them think twice. I should think it is in somebody's back garden now, or been sold for £25 or something silly like that."

Sergeant Ian Roberts, of Leyland Police, said: "Investigations are under way, but this theft is going to cause great upset, especially as the bereavement is so recent -- just a few months ago.

"The bench is extremely heavy, and we think it would have taken more than one person to move it."

The missing memorial is a heavy wooden bench with a plaque, inscribed with the words 'In Loving Memory of Edward Bibby, October 3 1921 to June 12 2001.'

Anybody with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.