A BRASS band are offering a reward to help catch vandals who knocked over a war memorial in their village.

Residents have complained about a series of wrecking sprees in Billington but were furious when the 10ft stone war memorial was toppled two months ago.

Billington and Whalley Brass Band Club have decided to help the police catch the wreckers and are offering a £200 reward.

The group held a charity night last week and collected £400 at the event. The cash is being split between the annual British Legion poppy appeal and the police reward.

Secretary Ron Ayres said: "Everyone in the village was getting fed up with the vandalism but the war memorial was the last straw.

"It was absolutely disgusting that someone could do something like that, it really upset a lot of people in the village.

"The police seem to think that it was probably from someone outside the village who did this."

Detective Constable Richard Horton said: "We are still trying to catch the people responsible for this piece of mindless vandalism, we would like to hear from anyone who could help with our inquiries."

The £200 will go to anyone who comes up with information which leads. People can either ring DC Horton on 01254 353638 or the confidential Crimestoppers number on 0800 555111.